The American Value System

Self-fulfillment

F

Efficiency and practicality

NOT Freedom of choice Basic values

T

Morality and humanitarianism

NOT 99% 56%

NOT Narcissism Self-fulfillment

Personal achievement

Values shared by American culture in spite of diversity Basic values form the foundation of the American culture

Working toward a specific goal

Success coming through hard work and initiative

Disciplined effort

Every problem has a solution

Belief in justice and equality

Focus on an optimistic future

Equality of opportunity and success

Freedoms of choice

Religion, education, patriotism

1. Personal achievement 2. Individualism 3. Work 4. Efficiency and practicality 5. Morality and humanitarianism 6. Progress and material comfort 7. Equality and democracy 8. Freedom 9. Religion 10. Education 11. Patriotism

Self-fulfillment is a commitment to the full development of one's personality, talents, and potential. Health, leisure

Narcissism is an extreme self-centeredness and self-absorption

Weakened established values because of narcissism

1. Self-fulfillment 2. Narcissism 3. Bell

T

The United States was founded on the principle of human equality. The Declaration of Independence proclaims, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Many Americans believe that to have human equality, there must be an equality of opportunity and an equal chance at success. The belief in equality extends to the form of government that Americans value—democracy. Americans believe that citizens have the right to express their opinions and to participate freely in choosing their representatives in government.

Leisure, physical fitness and youthfulness

Efficiency and practicality

Americans particularly value personal freedoms of choice such as the freedom of religion, speech, and press, which are guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.

Our individualism.

While American values have affected business practices in the United States, companies have also influenced American values through advertising. Advertisers have attempted to sell their products to American consumers by explaining how their products will enhance consumers' material comfort and lead to self-fulfillment. Advertisers have tapped into American values to influence people's perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors.

T

Social historian Christopher Lasch considered the emphasis on personal fulfillment a personality disorder. He termed this disorder narcissism, which means extreme self-centeredness.

Personal achievement, individualism, work, morality and humanitarianism, efficiency and practicality, progress and material comfort, equality and democracy, freedom, nationalism and patriotism, science and rationality, and racial and group superiority