Dimensions and Correlates of Social Axioms Among a Portuguese Sample
Author(s): Félix Neto
Abstract: Social axioms are generalized beliefs about the social and physical environment, or the spiritual world. In this study a measure of social axioms was developed and validated in a sample of college students (N=170) from Portugal. The four dimensions of the Social Axioms Survey (SAS) — Religiosity, Social Cynicism, and Social Flexibility, and Reward for Application — were predictably related to the established measures. Social cynicism correlated positively with ageism and loneliness, and negatively with self-esteem. Social complexity correlated positively with mastery and self-esteem, and negatively with ageism. Reward for Application correlated positively with mastery. Attendees scored higher on Religiosity than believers non attendees. No significant association was found between social axioms dimensions and social desirability. While the Portuguese data lend support to the validity of the SAS, validation in other cultures is needed. In addition, the emic aspects of social beliefs in individual cultures should be explored.
Pages: 340-351
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