Blog: The Seven Worldviews and Downward Causation

By Huib Wursten and Fernando Lanzer

Cultural values, the preferred values that guide a society, profoundly influence individual and collective behaviors. The Seven Worldviews cover different combinations of the four confirmed value dimensions of culture.

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The Mechanism of Downward Causation in Culture

Downward causation, the concept by which broader, collective, higher-level phenomena, such as the shared cultural values of a community, exert causal influence over lower-level components, such as the behavior of small groups or individuals, provides a useful lens to examine how cultural values included in the Worldviews shape individual actions and societal structures. This perspective highlights the reciprocal relationship between culture and individuals, illustrating the complex interplay within social systems.

In the context of the Seven Worldviews, downward causation operates because the combination of values influences the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions of organizations and individuals. For example, a society that highly values education will create institutions, policies, and social norms that prioritize learning. These cultural values permeate individual behavior, encouraging people to pursue educational opportunities and adhere to the societal emphasis on academic achievement. This illustrates how cultural values, as emergent properties of a society, can shape individual actions.

Influence on Individual Behavior

Cultural values can manifest in various aspects of behavior, including decision-making, social interactions, and personal aspirations. In collectivist cultures, where communal harmony and group cohesion are prioritized, individuals are more likely to engage in behaviors that promote in-group welfare, even at personal expense. Conversely, in individualist cultures that emphasize personal achievement and autonomy, individuals are more likely to prioritize their own goals and interests. This downward causation from cultural values to behaviors underscores the power of culture in shaping human actions.

Societal Structures and Norms

The Worldviews also influence the creation and maintenance of societal structures and norms. Legal systems, educational institutions, and economic policies often reflect a society’s prevailing cultural values. For instance, cultures that value equality and social justice may develop welfare systems and anti-discrimination laws to uphold these values. These structures, in turn, reinforce cultural values by shaping societal expectations and behaviors, creating a feedback loop of influence.

Theoretical and Practical Implications

Understanding cultural values through the lens of downward causation has important theoretical and practical implications. It challenges reductionist approaches that attempt to explain social phenomena solely through individual actions by emphasizing the importance of higher-level cultural influences. This perspective can inform policy-making, education, and organizational management by highlighting the role of cultural values in shaping behaviors and outcomes. Recognizing the power of cultural values in downward causation can lead to more effective interventions that align with societal norms and values.

Conclusion

The Worldviews and downward causation offer a rich framework for understanding the interplay between societal norms and individual behaviors. By recognizing the causal power of cultural values, we can better appreciate the complexity of social systems and the dynamic interactions that shape human societies.