How Alike Are Universal Values, Moral Foundations, Cultural Theory, and Cultural Cognition Theory? A Comparison of Theories, Concepts, and Measures

Branden B. Johnson, Mark J. Brandt, Felicity Turner‐Zwinkels and Brendon Swedlow

Social Science Quarterly, 2025, vol. 106, issue 7

Abstract: Objectives We assess similarities and differences of research programs on universal values (UVs), moral foundations (MFs), cultural theory (CT), and cultural cognition theory (CCT). The first two have not been compared to the last two. We expected items reflecting hierarchical values including order to dominate item overlaps, followed by items reflecting egalitarian values including equality, with CT and CCT items overlapping most. Methods Item‐level analyses with network psychometric methods were applied to common program measures (n = 1047, the United States). Each item's clustering with others controlled for its associations with all other items; higher order clusters indicate that certain lower order clusters are more closely associated. Results Nine first‐order clusters largely covered one program each (excluding relevance‐framed MF items). Second‐order clusters included items reflecting (1) UV, MF, and CT hierarchy order; (2) the two CCT dimensions, and (3) MF relevance, and UV self‐direction and benevolence. No third‐order cluster emerged, although the first two second‐order clusters were correlated. Conclusions Hierarchical/conservative/traditional values clustered as expected but expected egalitarian and CT/CCT clusters did not. Convergence on values measures implies potential theoretical synergy, while divergences may suggest values, concepts, and/or operationalizations worth considering by other research programs.

Date: 2025
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