Cross-Cultural Value Orientations: Clinical Implications from an Analysis of the Theory and Research.

The purpose of this paper is to consider what relevant clinical applications can be generated from a thorough review and critique of the theoretical and empirical literature pertaining to cross-cultural value orientations. The Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck (1961) theory of value orientations and their Value Schedule was presented. The 3 elements of value orientations are the cognitive, the affective, and the directive. Meanwhile, the study also criticized research presented by those people who, claimed that value orientations strongly influence both social and personality systems, followed Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck's theory and provided remarkably similar and clearly elucidated summaries of that theory. The critique of those studies indicated numerous methodological and some statistical weaknesses that undermine the reliability, validity, and in some cases the generalizability of the results and conclusions obtained. Until the reliability and validity of value orientations and instruments can be firmly established, the potential benefits, for example cross-cultural values data increases the general social science knowledge base, can offer our society, the science of psychology, and the professions of clinical and counseling psychology a great deal. (Author/ML)