KLUCKHOHN AND STRODTBECK’S VALUE

ORIENTATIONS 32

The first taxonomy of cultural orientations comes from the anthropological work of

Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck. They based their research on the idea that every individual, regardless of culture, must deal with five universal questions, referred to as “value orientations.” These “orientations,” or patterns, inform members of a culture what is important and provide them guidance for living their lives. After extensive study, they concluded that all people turn to their culture for help in answering the same five basic questions:

1. What is the character of human nature?
2. What is the relation of humankind to nature?
3. What is the orientation toward time?
4. What is the value placed on activity?
5. What is the relationship of people to each other?