individualism
- belief that each person is unique, special and a “basic unit of nature”
- emphasis on individual initiative
- stress need for independence
- premium on individual expression
- value privacy
equality
- open society that ideally treats everyone equally
- little hierarchy
- informal
- directness in relations with others
materialism
- a “right” to be well off and physically comfortable
- judge people by their possessions
science and technology
- values scientific approaches
- primary source of good
- major factor in change
progress and change
- belief in changing self and country
- “Manifest Destiny”
- optimism — nothing is impossible
work and leisure
strong work ethic
work is the basis of recognition, power.
idleness seen as a threat to society
leisure is a reward for hard work
competition
aggressive and competitive nature encouraged
Be First (#1) mentality
mobility
a people on the move
vertical (social / economic) as well as physical mobility
volunteerism
belief in helping others (related to equality concept)
philanthropy admired
a personal choice not a communal expectation
involves associations / denominations rather than kin-groups
action and achievement oriented
emphasis on getting things done
priority on planning and setting goals
tendency to be brief and business like,
practical
measure results
focus on function and pragmatism
