Summary
Highlights
The World Values Survey is the largest global study of culture, initiated in the 1980s. It's conducted approximately every five years, surveying 50-80 countries at a time with nationally representative samples of 1,000-3,000 individuals per nation, covering diverse demographics like ethnic groups, age groups, and genders.
The survey measures values (importance in life), beliefs (what people believe), norms (rules for behavior), and attitudes (likes/dislikes). It also assesses happiness, subjective health, and political orientations. The most recent data discussed was from 2011-2014.
Ronald Inglehart, a co-founder and analyst of the survey, identified two dimensions of national culture. One key dimension is 'Traditional,' which emphasizes differences in religion. For instance, in traditional cultures, God's importance, views on abortion, and national pride are often significantly different compared to less religious societies.