Organizing cultural dimensions within and across six frameworks: A human development perspective

Abstract

This paper aims to organize and classify cultural dimensions within and across six widely-employed cultural frameworks by relying on modernization theory and the human development perspective. The study adopts a 4-stage approach. In stage 1, the cultural dimensions in each framework are dichotomized. In stage 2, using Aristotelian categories, cultural dimensions are divided into meaningful hierarchical categories based on their essential features. In stage 3, cultural dimensions are organized according to modernization theory and human development perspective. In stage 4, the inter-correlations are calculated, and an integrative model of cultural dimensions is proposed. The paper offers insights into the dynamics of cultural values and discusses the relationship between culture, social change, human development, and modernization.