Zero-sum game belief as a social axiom: A 37-nation study Cover Image

Wiara w gre o sumie zerowej jako aksjomat spoleczny: badanie w 37 krajach
Zero-sum game belief as a social axiom: A 37-nation study

Author(s): Paweł Boski, Joanna Różycka, Bogdan Wojciszke
Subject(s): Psychology
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar Sp. z o.o.
Keywords: zero-sum game belief, social axioms, cross-cultural psychology

Summary/Abstract: Numerous studies carried out on Polish samples revealed that the belief that life is a zero-sum game i.e., that social relations have an antagonistic nature, is associated with the range of negative social consequence. This paper introduces the concept of zero-sum game belief within a new cross-cultural paradigm, which presents it as a universal social axiom. In order to prove its universality we conducted a study on student samples from 37 countries (N = 6138), analyzing data on individual and cultural levels. The zero-sum game belief was associated with other cultural dimensions, revealed a conceptual and empirical affi nity to social and societal cynicism, and correlated with objective socio-economic indices. Thus, the zero-sum game belief seems to be a new cultural dimension.

  • Issue Year: IX/2014
  • Issue No: 28
  • Page Range: 92-109
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Polish