Patrick C. L. Heaven

A Comparison of Protestant Work Ethic Beliefs in Thirteen Nations

Abstract This study was concerned with the measurement and comparison of Protestant Work Ethic scores in 13 countries. Subjects completed seven work ethic scales, which have varying reliabilities and validities. Cronbach alphas indicated that five of the seven had acceptable reliability. For every measure, there was a highly significant difference between the scores of subjects from the different countries, and the differences tended to be consistent over the various measures. Subjects from richer, First World countries tended to have lower scores than those from Third World countries. Also, the correlation between the most well known work ethic scale score and Hofstedes (1984) power-distance score for the 13 countries was highly significant, indicating that work ethic beliefs were associated with differential weights placed on prestige, power, and wealth in a society. The results are discussed in terms of the extensive literature on cross-cultural comparison, particularly with reference to work beliefs ...

Religious values and personality dimensions

Abstract Recent research has confirmed previously established relationship between personality and attitudes toward religion. The present study sought to determine the relationship between religious values and personality among a sample of Australian adolescents. Results only partially supported previous attitudinal research. Possible explanations of these findings are briefly discussed.

Personality predictors of self-reported delinquency

Abstract The interrelationships between personality dimensions, negative attitudes toward authority figures, and self-reported delinquency were examined in two samples ( n = 267 and n = 388) of Australian adolescents. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses with sets of independent variables revealed important sex differences with respect to the ability of the various personality factors as well as attitudes to authority to predict self-reported delinquency. For females, but not males, Eysenckian psychoticism seemed to act as a conduit for a variety of personality traits. In addition, social desirability appeared more pronounced among females than males. These findings are discussed with reference to the nature of the major Eysenckian personality dimensions.

Structure and Demographic Correlates of Attitudes Toward AIDS Sufferers

Two studies investigated the structure and demographic correlates of attitudes toward AIDS sufferers among adult Australians 18 to 75 years of age. Attitudes were found to be multidimensional, with similar dimensions being identified in both samples. In both samples, men were found to be more prejudiced than women.

Economic beliefs and human values : further evidence of the two-value model?

Abstract This study investigated among Australian adults the thesis that beliefs can be distinguished in terms of a two-value model (Braithwaite, 1982; Rokeach, 1973). As predicted, adherents of left- and right-wing economic beliefs (N = 256) were distinguished by their support of different human values. Support was also found for the Braithwaite view that the value constructs international harmony and equality and national strength and order were the prime predictors of left- and right-wing economic beliefs, respectively. These results are discussed with reference to previous work in this area (e.g., Billig, 1984; Feather, 1984).

Personality correlates of functional and dysfunctional impulsiveness

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate Dickmans (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58, 95–102, 1990) claims that impulsiveness can be differentiated into two types, namely, functional impulsiveness and dysfunctional impulsiveness and that each have unique personality correlates. Respondents were 267 Australian adolescents (141 females, 126 males; median age = 17 yr). Support was found for the view that dysfunctional impulsiveness can be viewed as a negative trait, while sex differences with respect to the correlates of functional impulsiveness were noted. These findings are commented upon and some suggestions for further research are made.

Economic locus of control beliefs and lay attributions of poverty

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between economic locus of control beliefs and lay attributions of poverty among a sample of 285 adult Australians. A principal components analysis revealed both measures to be multidimensional, which supports earlier work (Feather, 1974; Furnham, 1986; Weiner, 1974). As predicted, results revealed negative individualistic or behavioural explanations of poverty to be associated with internal locus of control beliefs and denial of poverty, while societal or structural explanations of poverty were significantly associated with chance locus of control, and significantly negatively associated with denial of poverty. Some demographic correlates of these explanations were noted and the results are discussed with reference to previous attribution research.

Venturesomeness, impulsiveness, and Eysenck's personality dimensions : a study among Australian adolescents

In Eysenckian personality theory, the dimension extraversion has traditionally consisted of two elements, sociability and impulsiveness. More recently, however, impulsiveness has become associated with the dimension psychoticism (Rocklin & Revelle, 1981), although subfactors of impulsiveness have been shown to be differentially related to extraversion and psychoticism (S. Eysenck & H. Eysenck, 1977). This study investigates the structures of impulsiveness and venturesomeness and their association with extraversion, emotional stability-neuroticism, and psychoticism among 170 Australian adolescents. Both impulsiveness and venturesomeness were found to be multidimensional, although the subfactors differed slightly from those suggested by the Eysencks. No support was found for the view that impulsiveness narrowly defined is pathological, although the impulsiveness and venturesomeness subfactors were found to be differentially related to extraversion, emotional stability-neuroticism, and psychoticism. The theoretical implications of these findings are briefly discussed.

Human values and personality dimensions: A test of the social values inventory

Abstract The results of two studies examining the personality correlates of human values are reported. Whereas previous work has used the well-known Rokeach Value Survey, the present report details findings using the Social Values Inventory. The results of canonical correlation analyses indicated that Eysenckian Psychoticism, Extraversion, and Neuroticism interact in complex ways in predicting the endorsement of values. Certain value correlates of personality types are noted. Results indicated that emotionally stable high P-scores were distinguishable from emotionally stable introverts. Findings are discussed in the light of previous work into individual differences. Some suggestions for further research are also made.

Community attitudes toward near-death experiences: A Chinese study

In a survey of Chinese attitudes toward near-death experiences (NDEs), 197 respondents were read a hypothetical description of an NDE and asked to choose from a range of explanations and social reactions that might approximate their own. Fifty-eight percent of respondents believed that NDEs were probably hallucinations or dreams. Less than nine percent believed the NDE was evidence of life after death. Rural and younger persons were more likely to react positively to NDErs. The results are discussed with reference to an earlier Australian study by Kellehear and Heaven (1989).