Or more exactly, I share world-view and values with a lot of Canadians…
Dave Pollard points to the survey at Fire & Ice: The US, Canada and the Myth of Converging Values and notes that median scores for Americans are in the upper-left quadrant, whilst median scores for Canadians are in the lower-right and the gap is growing.
The author of the survey explains the result chart as follows:
Your personal position can be interpreted along two major explanatory dimensions, or axes of social values. The first axis of explanation of social values, shown here as the vertical or y-axis, describes a general orientation toward the acceptance versus rejection of long-standing social norms in society, that is, an outlook that is either deferential to traditional mores and institutions, labelled “Authority”, or one that is more modern and questioning, labelled “Individuality”. The second axis, shown here as the horizontal or x-axis, describes a general outlook toward, and valuing of, pragmatism and competitiveness, labelled “Survival”, or a world view that is more idealistic and postmodern, here labelled “Fulfillment.”
Taken together, these two axes form four general quadrants of explanation or meaning underlying people’s values. People in the upper left are fundamentally motivated by needs for stability, security and status, and exhibit a strong work ethic. Those in the upper right most value ethics, duty, and responsibility within their families and communities. Meanwhile, those with values that place them in the lower right primarily search for personal control, and are open-minded, flexible and idealistic. And finally, individuals in the lower left pursue, above all else, novelty, excitement and risk.
Having dutifully completed the survey I seem to come out firmly in the “Idealism and Autonomy” quadrant. Apparently the signatures of this quadrant are:
- Key Characteristics
- Self-reliant and in control of their own destiny
- Idealistic and open-minded
- Rejecting out-dated norms and institutions
- Fundamental Motivations and Values
- Personal Control
- Question Authority
- Global Consciousness
- Adaptability to Complexity
- Flexible Families
I don’t feel uncomfortable with those values, but I am surprised at the extreme placement of my result – I don’t consider myself an extreme example of any of those views when compared with others I know. It would be interesting to see a similar survey calibrated to include the UK and other European countries…
December 6th, 2003 at 06:17
Welcome to Canada !
Over the next 12 months you will have to pass basic proficiency tests in Mandarin, Cantonese, 3 Persian Dialects of Arabic, Ukrainian, Albertan, Hindi, Ojibway, Rasta, Quebecois French, Newfie, Hebrew and Acadian.
You will also need to acquire and learn how to wear a tuque, a turban, a fleece Mountain Equipment Coop anorak, and a backpack with a Canadian flag sewn onto it.
As part of your swearing-in ceremony you will have to recite the number of different ways GW Bush is known to be a moron, as well as the number of ways the Canadian PM Jean Poutine has outfoxed him since his election in 2001.
And finally, your new Canadian pen-sponsors must show a video of you driving up to the Canada US Border between midnight and5 a.m. and shouting across into US airspace “We Said NO to Iraq…so there”.
Welcome, brother, welcome.
December 9th, 2003 at 19:52
Your weblog does feel similar to the Canadian blogs I know.
December 10th, 2003 at 11:04
My result was as extreme as yours in the Idealism and Autonomy quadrant. And then to think I’m viewed as somewhat of a conservative here in the Netherlands
December 11th, 2003 at 13:35
“I don’t consider myself an extreme example of any of those views when compared with others I know. ”
Even individualists come in flocks, it is just that the cardinal numbers of those are smaller. At the same time, areas covered are larger as cohesion is based on more substantial values.
CC.
December 12th, 2003 at 19:53
As a Welshman I scored very similar to you, not quite so far over to to the right and fulfilment as you.
December 26th, 2003 at 23:37
I was pretty much right in the same spot as you.
As a first generation, but young (not yet 30) immigrant to the UK (1988 was the fateful year), I’m hoping Britain figures in the same corner of the Idealism & Autonomy quadrant that your green spot appears in.
I actually think most people in this country would in be in this quadrant, or at least on the boundaries of it.