Dominance, Social Control, and Ownership: A History and a Cross-Cultural Study of Motivation for Private Property

Behavior Science Research • Vol/Iss. 22(4) • Elsevier • Amsterdam • Published In • Pages: 130-160 •
By Rudmin, Floyd Webster

Abstract

In this article, the author seeks to correlate interpersonal values with attitudes toward private property. After giving a brief intellectual history on the philosophy of private property, the author draws data from the Multinational Student Survey (MSS) in order to discern attitudes towards private property and preferences for one of six psychological constructs (Support, Conformity, Recognition, Independence, Benevolence, Leadership) which were outlined in the Survey of Interpersonal Values which was itself incorporated in the aforementioned MSS. These measures were then edited in order to be correlated and the reliability of each was verified. The strongest correlations that resulted were for dominance and nonconformity. The author concludes without a theory of how to reckon with these seemingly paradoxical results.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Multinational Student SurveyThis was an in-depth survey of college age men conducted in 1968 across 15 countries

Hypotheses (6)

HypothesisSupported
Societal preference for leadership will be positively associated with favorable attitudes toward private propertySupported
Societal preference for support (for example, treating others with kindness, consideration, and understanding) will be positively associated with favorable attitudes toward private propertySupported
Societal preference for independance will be positively associated with favorable attitudes toward private propertyPartially Supported
Societal preference for conformity will be positively associated with favorable attitudes toward private propertyNot supported
Societal preference for recognition will be positively associated with favorable attitudes toward private propertyUNKNOWN
Societal preference for benevolence will be positively associated with favorable attitudes toward private propertyUNKNOWN
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: dmccloskey103  anj.droe