Sunlight and culture

Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization • Vol/Iss. Issue 188 • Elsevier • • Published In • Pages: 757-782 •
By Fredriksson, Per G. , Mohanty, Aatishya

Abstract

This article used sub-national, historical and cross-country data to examine if exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV-R) could be a factor in the formation of individualism and collectivism. The study found support, across all data sets, that increased exposure to UV-R is associated to more collectivism within a culture. The authors theorized that UV-R exposure increases the likelihood of eye disease causing higher rates of blindness. With increased levels of blindness, the more emphasis there will be on close family relations and/or increased uncertainty avoidance from out-groups leading to more collectivism in a culture.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)Other researchersHistorical individualism data
World Values Survey (WVS)Other researchersSub-national individualism data
Hofstede et. al (2010)Other researchersINDIV variable
NASAOther researchersUV-R data

Hypotheses (3)

HypothesisSupported
Greater UV-R exposure will be negatively correlated with individualism sub-nationally.Supported
Greater UV-R exposure will be negatively correlated with individualism in pre-industrial societies.Supported
Greater UV-R exposure will be negatively correlated with individualism on a cross-country level.Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: danielle.russell