Value change in Germany : a comparative perspective

The study of value change is a very promising area of research since data on value change may specify preconditions and consequences of other areas of social, economic, and technological change. The study of value change is based upon questions whether and in which direction people's thinking, feeling, and behavior have undergone change. This relates to questions concerning the effects of value change upon the individual and his /her behavior, e.g., political participation, work attitudes, consumer behavior, involvement in family or leisure time activities, etc. Value change also relates to questions dealing with effects upon groups, e.g., intra- and intergroup conflicts, minority group influences, etc. Finally, value change relates to questions concerning change or stability on one or several segments of the society, e.g., institutions in politics, economy, science, and education