HUMAN-VALUES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT

This study investigated the relationship of social and mode values (Braithwaite & Law, 1985) to lay suggestions for reducing unemployment. Respondents were 256 adult Australians (134 females, 122 males). As predicted, suggestions for reducing unemployment were found to range from punitive to ‘tender‐minded’ and were differentially related to human values. Punitive suggestions were significantly related to values such as national strength and order, traditional religiosity, competence and effectiveness, getting ahead, propriety in dress and manners and religious commitment. Suggestions involving increased government spending were significantly related to international harmony and equality. Some demographic correlates of these suggestions were also noted. The findings are discussed with reference to previous work (Eysenck & Wilson, 1978; Feather, 1982, 1984; Wilson, 1973), whilst suggestions for future research are made. 1990 The British Psychological Society