Worldview Analysis Structure Version 3

this is old version, based on version 3 themes==>for latest version click here

Structure for Characterizing and Analyzing Worldviews
Version 3.11 (last edit 2/08/2016--contact us if you'd like to contribute to refining this structure)
Each worldview theme is divided into four sub-themes, each linked to a Wikipedia article

Each of the 81 project WORLDVIEW worldview themes is described below using four sub-themes (total=324). These are described with short phrases and linked to Wikipedia articles you can click and read. The sub-themes concisely describe the main theme, and/or cover a range of possibilities inherent to belief in it--including (in some cases) the opposite of it. Of course you can click on either the project WORLDVIEW theme webpage link (labeled PWV below), or (in most cases) a related Wikipedia overview or summary article (at the far right of the title line) to get much more information. (Altogether there are nearly 400 links to Wikipedia articles!)

PWV Theme #1A: Humbly Unsure-- closest related Wikipedia article: Humility
can live with discomfort caused by Cognitive Dissonance	often mentally between belief and disbelief / Doubt
conciliatory, avoids expressing extreme beliefs / Moderate	realizes humans are flawed, human nature imperfect

PWV Theme #1B: Skeptic-- closest related Wikipedia article: Skepticism
is able to justify beliefs, values exercise of reason, Rationality	questions assumptions, values Critical Thinking
values Scientific Skepticism	values Religious Skepticism

PWV Theme #2A:The True Believer --closest related Wikipedia article: Belief
has some understanding of what Knowledge is, sources of it	feeling of special knowledge==>Esotericism
analysis flawed by Confirmation Bias, belief unjustified	values Faith as important part of belief system

PWV Theme #2B: I Know What's Best For You--closest related Wikipedia article: none
interactions often characterized by Assertiveness	often engages in Proselytism
interactions often characterized by Persuasion	attitude shaped by feeling of superiority, Paternalism

PWV Theme #3: Focused Vision--closest related Wikipedia article: none
often mentally dwells near space/time center of mental maps	employs ordered, often task-oriented, methodology
values higher resolution in mental models of conceptual systems	values perfectionism, often Micromanages

PWV Theme #4: Global Vision--closest related Wikipedia article: none
often operates at higher level in hierarchy of understanding	values learning from past to prepare for future
values interconnectedness in mental conceptual system mapping	appreciates the universe's extent in time and space

PWV Theme #5A: Scientific Materialism--closest related Wikipedia article: Metaphysical Naturalism
believes reality explained by matter/energy / Materialism	values knowledge acquired by scholarly methods/ Scientism
values analytical approach / Reductionism	rejects teleology, appreciates evolution / Natural Selection

PWV Theme #5B: Vitalism --closest related Wikipedia article: Vitalism
comfortable with spiritual energy / life force based medicine	believes spirit explains consciousness
believes in spiritual or ethereal beings such as angels, ghosts, etc.	may use Animism based hypotheses

PWV Theme #6: Scientific Method--closest related Wikipedia article: Scientific Method
realizes scientific conceptual framework is based on observation	appreciates cause and effect / Causality
realizes science involves testable ideas, values hypothesis testing	appreciates need for Reproducibility

PWV Theme #7A: Mysticism--closest related Wikipedia article: Mysticism
values altering consciousness using meditation techniques	values what Buddhists call Mindfulness
values Monist Idealist Pantheism / Cosmic Consciousness	appreciates New Age enthusiasm for Quantum Mysticism

PWV Theme #7B: Magic --closest related Wikipedia article: Magic -- Paranormal
values causal reasoning known as Magical Thinking	appreciates Occult Practices
accepts reality of some parapsychology type phenomena (ESP, etc.)	values applied spirituality: Shamanism

PWV Theme #8A: Monotheism--closest related Wikipedia article: Monotheism
believes in God the Father	believes in God the Mother / Mother Goddess
accepts teleology, believes in God as Intelligent Designer	feels God doesn't intervene, values Deism

PWV Theme #8B: Belief in a Personal God --closest related Wikipedia article: Personal God
embraces God in Abrahamic Religions	believes God is Susceptible to Prayer
values Love God Has for Us / Love We Have for God	believes God Performs Miracles

PWV Theme #9A: Religious Fundamentalism--closest related Wikipedia article: Fundamentalism
respects Religious texts	accepts Revelation / Prophets / Divine Communication
would prefer government by Theocracy	accepts Creationism

PWV Theme #9B: Apocalypticism--closest related Wikipedia article: Apocalypticism
expects End time someday, perhaps soon	respects Rapture possibility
realizes Societal Collapse is possible, perhaps will happen soon	appreciates Risks to Civilization, humans

PWV Theme #10: Secular Humanism --closest related Wikipedia article: Secular Humanism
demands separation of church and state	disdains religious framework, embraces Secular Spirituality
appreciates Human Condition / search for meaning	doesn't believe in God / Atheism

PWV Theme #11A: Fatalism --closest related Wikipedia article: Fatalism
believes in the Will of God	accepts Predestination
appreciates Causal Determinism ==> predictions	appreciates that Free Will is Logically Impossible

PWV Theme #11B: Free Will --closest related Wikipedia article: Free Will
appreciates factors limiting predictability	recognizes free agents have moral responsibility
appreciates probability	believe my actions originate with and are up to me / Self Determination

PWV Theme #12: The Artistic Worldview --closest related Wikipedia article: none
values creativity	appreciates Aesthetics
identifies with both motivated and non-motivated functions of Art	identifies great art with the sublime

PWV Theme #13: Dancing With Systems --closest related Wikipedia article: Systems Thinking
values alternative to reductionism: holism in science	appreciates matter/energy/information system flow, feedback loops
appreciates unexpected / Emergence in system	appreciates value of modeling complex or biological Systems

PWV Theme #14A: Moralistic God --closest related Wikipedia article: Righteousness
has awareness of importance of sin	seeks salvation (the saving of one's soul from some undesirable eternal fate)
seeks to spend afterlife in heaven	sees God dispensing punishment / Divine Judgment

PWV Theme #14B: Reincarnation --closest related Wikipedia article: Reincarnation
appreciates consequences of karmic forces, values Karma	accepts possibility of learning from Past Life Regression
appreciates possibility of Rebirth (Buddhist conception)	values Wheel of Life (Buddhist conception)

PWV Theme #15: Collective Cognitive Imperative -- Wikipedia article: Collective Cognitive Imperative
feels pressure to conform / peer pressure	accepts authority, open to indoctrination
succumbs to The Bandwagon Effect	extreme suggestibility ==> The Brainwashed Herd / Sheeple

PWV Theme #16: Golden Rule, Village Ethic of Mutual Help-closest related Wikipedia article:Golden Rule
values generalized reciprocity in material and labor exchanges	reciprocal altruism / TIT for TAT orientation
can feel others' pain and suffering, values empathy	values kindness, compassion

PWV Theme #17A: Bitterness & Vengeance --closest related Wikipedia article: Revenge
feels Resentment or Bitterness	feels Anger
often looks to assign Blame or caught up in blaming	values An Eye for An Eye type of justice

PWV Theme #17B: Gratitude & Forgiveness --closest related Wikipedia article: none
possesses Psychological Resilience	values Gratitude
embraces Forgiveness	values Turning the Other Cheek response to being hurt or victimized

PWV Theme #18A: Passionately Impulsive --closest related Wikipedia article: none
often seeks gratification outside one's own self ==> extravert	characterized by risk taking or novelty seeking
characterized by passion often overwhelming reason	characterized by Impulsivity

PWV Theme #18B: Dispassionate--closest related Wikipedia article: none
values thinking/reflecting before acting ==> introspection	characterized by emotional detachment
values deferred gratification	values stoicism (indifferent to pain, pleasure==>inner calm)

PWV Theme #19A: Economic Individualism--closest related Wikipedia article: Economic Liberalism
self interest based ethics / values ethical egoism	values individualism in economic decision-making
values competition in organizing society, economic matters	values Market Economy

PWV Theme #19B: Corporate Capitalism--closest related Wikipedia article: Corporate Capitalism
appreciates the advantages of the corporation in setting up a business	has some understanding of corporate governance
recognizes productivity as key to competitiveness in the marketplace	values corporate social responsibility

PWV Theme #20A: Elitism --closest related Wikipedia article: Elitism
appreciates criticism of democracy	values idea that competence rises to top / Meritocracy
comfortable with social stratification distinctions	comfortable with highest social class / Aristocracy

PWV Theme #20B: Authoritarianism --closest related Wikipedia article: Authoritarianism
pledges obediance, needs social contract in accepting authoritarian rule	accepts autocratic rule (government vested in one person)
Right Wing Authoritarianism type personality traits	accepts rule by a single party state

PWV Theme #21A: Populism --closest related Wikipedia article: Populism
values participatory democracy	values labor, workers over management, capital
possesses right wing populist perspective	values "bottom up" community based organizations

PWV Theme #21B: Service to Others--closest related Wikipedia article: Prosocial Behavior
often engages in Volunteering	values public or civil service
involved in community service	practices charitable giving, values Philanthropy

PWV Theme #22A: Expansionism --closest related Wikipedia article: Economic Growth
values economic indicators for measuring economic growth	values technology in promoting productivity, economic growth
see benefits in and generally values population growth	sees economic growth as key part of economic development

PWV Theme #22B: Imperialism--closest related Wikipedia article: Imperialism
can accept national territorial expansionist policies	some cultures superior to others==> ok with Ethnocentrism
see benefits in and generally values Cultural Imperialism	comfortable with capitalist led globalization, Neocolonialism

PWV Theme #23A: Sustainability --closest related Wikipedia article: Sustainability
appreciates how Ecosystem services benefit humans	see problems with fossil fuel use, values renewable energy
concerned about Global Warming	appreciates need for resource recycling

PWV Theme #23B: Enoughness --closest related Wikipedia article: none
practices voluntary simplicity, Simple Living to some degree	appreciates Sustainable Living type lifestyles
lifestyle choice inspired by religion/Christian Views Poverty & Wealth	values global citizen Ecosharing type ethic

PWV Theme #24: Struggling w/ Basic Need:Sustenance--closest related Wikipedia article:Absolute Poverty
can relate to lack of adequate food / Hunger	relate to lack of adequate shelter / Homelessness
has employment issues (job loss, working poor, workaholic, etc)	work hard, engaged in subsistence agriculture

PWV Theme #25: Anthropocentrism --closest related Wikipedia article: Anthropocentrism
our needs >>other species', values Human Exceptionalism	values prosperity theology, God-given dominion over nature
denies Climate Change is human caused	supports Geoengineering to remedy global climate change

PWV Theme #26A: The Consumerist--closest related Wikipedia article: Consumerism
enjoys shopping	values having things, Economic Materialism
no problem w/ marketing, advertising==>supports Commercialism	engages in Consumer Activism

PWV Theme #26B: The More Is Better Mentality --closest related Wikipedia article: none
defends and/or engages in Conspicuous Consumption	defends right to and/or lives in large house (McMansion)
drives SUV or large truck, defends right to do so vs. critics	not concerned about Obesity

PWV Theme #27:Belonging to Nature--closest related Wikipedia article: Ecocentrism
practices Stewardship not having Dominion Over	loves the land and Wilderness
appreciates ecosystems / values interconnectedness	values Eco-feminist perspective

PWV Theme #28A: Hedonistic Orientation--closest related Wikipedia article: Hedonism
guided by immature feelings / Pleasure Principle	values and seeks out Pleasure
knowledgable love of good food and drink / Epicureanism	finds pleasure in what some call victimless crimes

PWV Theme #28B: Healthy Orientation--closest related Wikipedia article: Health
follows latest nutritional guidelines, values Healthy Diet	makes lifestyle changes based on Preventive Medicine
recognizes mind/body connection,values Health Psychology	values Physical Exercise

PWV Theme #29A:The Self-Restrained Person--closest related Wikipedia article: Self Control
exhibits adult maturity per Reality Principle	behavior guided by well-developed Conscience
behaves as to produce Guilt-free existence==> no guilt!	spiritually motivated restraint carried to extreme: Asceticism

PWV Theme #29B: The Threatening Person--closest related Wikipedia article: Coercion
dishes out physical or verbal abuse==>engages in Bullying	litigious, threatens or files lawsuit
coerces others to exact payment: Extortion	aggression threat carried to extreme: engages in Violence

PWV Theme #30:Intellectual Freedom--closest related Wikipedia article: none
possesses lots of intellectual curiosity (wonders "why?" or "what if...?")	values Freedom of Thought
interested in learning, resolving doubt, problem solving==>values Inquiry	values Academic Freedom

PWV Theme #31:Education for Democracy--closest related Wikipedia article: none
values advancing the common well-being, Public Interest	values Education
values Democracy	supports Public Education

PWV Theme #32:Valuing Human Rights--closest related Wikipedia article: Human Rights
values universal, egalitarian approach to human rights	values freedom of speech and creative expression
supports marriage equality (same sex marriage)	supports all of UN 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights

PWV Theme #33A: Servitude--closest related Wikipedia article: Unfree Labor
I am a soldier, not something I freely chose / Conscription	I am a victim of my own poverty and debt (bondage)
I am a prisoner / Incarceration	I am essentially a slave, a victim of Human Trafficking

PWV Theme #33B: Addiction --closest related Wikipedia article: Addiction
I have a problem with alcoholism	I have a problem with tobacco
I engage in drug use ==> a substance dependence problem	I have a behavioral addiction

PWV Theme #34: Traditions, Trad Gender Roles--closest related Wikipedia article: Traditional Values
values Tradition (rituals, customs, beliefs, etc. passed down )	values patriarchy or Traditional Authority in general
promotes maintenance of traditional institutions (Conservatism)	practices or respects Ancestor Worship

PWV Theme #35A: Self Reliant Nonconformity--closest related Wikipedia article: none
values Individualism (puts individual rights over those of society, family, etc)	often takes do it yourself approach
often rejects what society dictates and conformity	values self sufficiency

PWV Theme #35B:Working for Change--closest related Wikipedia article: Activism
values social justice, Economic Progressivism	known to support social movements
known to be involved in political campaigns	relates to environmentalism as a social movement

PWV Theme #36A: Cynicism--closest related Wikipedia article: Cynicism
disturbed by hypocrisy	attitude of Cultural Pessimism rejects belief world becoming better
disturbed by political corruption	disgusted with humans, human nature ==> Misanthropy

PWV Theme #36B: Conspiracism--closest related Wikipedia article: Conspiracy Theory
communicated by telling a story / uses narrative form	enjoys retelling / embellishing modern folklore / legend
thinking influenced by paranoia	employs simplistic black/white analysis / Manichaeism

PWV Theme #37A: Proud Identification --closest related Wikipedia article: none
feels satisfied sense of attachment / pride	appreciates Identity Politics
identifies with particular ethnic group, values Ethnic Nationalism	values patriotism

PWV Theme #37B:Global Citizen --closest related Wikipedia article: Global Citizenship
seeks to globally apply universality principle / moral universalism	promotes Global Civics
Global Justice concerns, rejects "no global ethical standards exist"	prefers Cosmopolitanism approach to global justice

PWV Theme #38:Valuing Family--closest related Wikipedia article: none
Eastern tradition: respect for parents / Filial Piety	strong supporter of traditional marriage
exclusive: pro Western nuclear family tradition, family values	inclusive: comfortable with non-traditional family definition

PWV Theme #39A:Tough Love--closest related Wikipedia article: Tough Love
demands unquestioning obedience	demanding but responsive /authoritative parenting/ mentoring
reject tough love==>prefer enabling, rescuing approach	values discovery learning approach to teaching

PWV Theme #39B:Scapegoating--closest related Wikipedia article: Scapegoating
often acts out of prejudice	often practices discrimination
often feels hatred	comfortable with dehumanization of others

PWV Theme #40:Environmental Economics--closest related Wikipedia article: Environmental Economics
appreciates need for environmental impact assessment	appreciates need for carbon tax or related market scheme
appreciates need for efficient energy use	wants to factor natural capital into economic analyzes

PWV Theme #41: Struggling w/ Need: Self Esteem--closest related Wikipedia article: Self Esteem
suffers from low self esteem	suffers frequently from anxiety
suffers from emotional scars left by past traumatic event	has overcome past difficulties ==> self actualization

PWV Theme #42:Ethical Orientation--closest related Wikipedia article: Secular Ethics
actions characterized by honesty, respect for law, and integrity	actions avoid conflict of interest
actions show respect for professional ethics	greatest overall happiness based ethics / Utilitarianism

PWV Theme #43:Seeking Wealth and Power--closest related Wikipedia article: Wealth
values financial literacy and uses skills to increase wealth	values having more control over life, more power
pursues acquisition of wealth illegally / by theft	has self-centered excessive desire for wealth / greed

PWV Theme #44A:Sanctity & Dignity of Life--closest related Wikipedia article: Culture of Life
opposes any ending the life of unborn through abortion	opposes capital punishment (legal to end life of bad criminal)
opposes allowing so-called mercy killing: euthanasia	has bioethics related concerns about certain biotechnologies

PWV Theme #44B:Animal Rights--closest related Wikipedia article: Animal Rights
objects to all activities involving pain or cruelty to animals	practices some type of vegetarianism
respects intrinsic value of animals	objects to discrimination vs. other animals / Speciesism

PWV Theme #45A: Borrowing Mentality--closest related Wikipedia article: none
good understanding of debt-related terms/procedures	have or appreciate opportunity to get mortgage loan(s)
often late paying bills and contract credit card Debt	can still respect those who declare bankruptcy

PWV Theme #45B: Pay As You Go--closest related Wikipedia article: none
operates within constraints of personal budget	supports laws requiring governments to balance budgets
practices putting money aside for later use / saving	understands the need to minimize ecological debt

PWV Theme #46A: Technological Fix Mentality--closest related Wikipedia article: Technological Fix
has faith in Technology Assessment	has faith in Engineering Design Process
prefers Technocentrism to Ecocentrism	prefers Technoprogressivism to Bioconservatism

PWV Theme #46B: Militarism--closest related Wikipedia article: Militarism
has military service experience or as warrior	comfortable with military discipline / chain of command
values military tradition	believes war not inherently bad, can be beneficial to society

PWV Theme #47A:The Attitudinal Fix Mentality--closest related Wikipedia article:Attitudinal Fix
appreciates cognitive, emotional factors in attitude change	encourages dialogue, negotiation to reach compromise
values fair play, interpersonal communication, people skills	realizes attitude polarization will not=> conflict resolution

PWV Theme #47B: Pacifism--closest related Wikipedia article: Pacifism
values arms control efforts	prefers to exhaust all diplomacy before considering war
accepts Non-Aggression Principle, not true Pacifist	chooses non-violent resistance when others would use violence

PWV Theme #48: Coop, Decentralized Society--closest related Wikipedia article: Co-operative Economics
prefers co-operation to competition	likes worker or consumer owned businesses/ co-operatives
prefers decentralized economic or government structures	prefers decentrally planned economy

PWV Theme #49A: Social Welfare Statism--closest related Wikipedia article: Welfare State
values the common good and the public interest	don't mind paying higher taxes for more services, etc.
values safety net government welfare programs	believes quality of life enhanced by government regulations

PWV Theme #49B: Socialism--closest related Wikipedia article: Socialism
values strong state, centralized economic planning	prefer Social Democracy with capitalist mode of production
prefer Democratic Socialism with social ownership	prefer single party controlled socialist market economy

PWV Theme #50A: Libertarian--closest related Wikipedia article: Libertarianism
values free markets, limited role of state, minarchism	values individual freedom, self-ownership, own labor
values private ownership, private property rights	would abolish state, values Anarcho-capitalism

PWV Theme #50B: Left Anarchist--closest related Wikipedia article: Social Anarchism
prefers no government===>values stateless society	values mutual aid, abolition of private ownership
values Collectivist Anarchism, labor-based compensation	values Anarchist Communism, need based distribution

PWV Theme #51:Ethical Globalization--closest related Wikipedia article: Global Justice Movement
bothered by, applauds efforts to reduce international inequality	critical of globalization of coroporate capitalism
wants all global citizens to have voice: democratic globalization	supports steps toward world government such as UN

PWV Theme #52:Independence for Sick, Disabled, Old --closest related Wikipedia article: Independent Living
struggling to overcome disability	struggling to overcome chronic illness
struggling to cope with problems of old age	value a person's right to make own life decisions/self advocacy

Want to share something you like on this page with someone? Consider sending them a Tweet...
Click here to get to our Tweet program or click here==> Tweet

Caution: "As you shop in 'The Reality Marketplace' avoid spending your 'reality cash' too early, before you have seen everything!” from Coming of Age in the Global Village, by Stephen P. Cook, with Donella H. Meadows.

project Worldview Home