Wibrow, Janette (Jan) (2008) Individualism, Collectivism and Voting Intentions: Linking Cultural and Political Values. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
The dimensions of individualism and collectivism (I-C) describe independent and interdependent cultures, with the variations of horizontal and vertical, which indicated equality, and recognition of status within a society, respectively. Although little empirical evidence exists, it has logically been assumed that these cultural values correspond with political ideologies. This assumption was tested by comparing voters’ attitudes regarding horizontal and vertical I-C, with their preferred political party. Theoretically, a right-of-centre political party, for example, the Liberal Party of Australia would have a more laissez-faire, freemarket economic policy, corresponding with more individualistic values. Collectivist values were expected to be higher in parties that had traditional links with trade unions, such as the Australian Labor Party (ALP). Following a pilot study in 2007, an exit poll at the March 2008 Council elections used a survey of voting behaviour, and a modified 20-item I-C Scale. Seventy-three voters participated, although voters of minor parties were excluded due to their small numbers, leaving 57 who voted for the Liberal – National Party Coalition (Coalition) or the ALP. The reliability of the I-C Scale has been notably variable for different samples; and the scale was further modified to gain adequate reliability (around α = .6) for this study. T tests revealed that Coalition voters endorsed more individualism than ALP voters, in particular more vertical individualism, which corresponded with the more laissez-faire, free-market economic policies. ALP voters endorsed more horizontal collectivist values than Coalition voters, which corresponded with trade union values. Similar research conducted over time will show if trends in I-C correspond with political trends.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Gavin Beccaria |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Nov 2025 00:41 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Nov 2025 00:41 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52876 |
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