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 individ-
ual, 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?
