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A Preliminary Study Exploring the Value Changes Taking Place in the United States since the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack on the World Trade Center in New York

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Abstract

This study was a preliminary exploration of the value changes taking place in the United States since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York, which was a significant emotional event or cultural upheaval. Rokeach told us that “a person's total value system may undergo change as a result of socialization, therapy, or cultural upheaval . . .” (Rokeach, The Nature of Human Values, 1973, p. 37). The researchers explored the value changes of 500 aviation industry employees before the attack and 500 after the attack. The statistically significant research results showed a total of twenty-seven of thirty-six values changed. Before the attack respondents valued much higher self-esteem and self-actualization values like A Sense of Accomplishment and Self-Respect. After the attack respondents placed a much higher value importance on survival, safety and security values like A World at Peace, Freedom, Family Security, National Security, Mature Love, Salvation, and True Friendship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Travis Air Force Base Resident Center, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 844 Sapphire Circle, Vacavilla, CA, 95687, U.S.A

    Edward F. Murphy Jr.

  2. NASA Ames Research Center M/S 158-1, Moffett Federal Airfield, Moffett Field, CA, 94035-1000, U.S.A

    John D. Gordon

  3. Oakland Resident Center, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Edgewater Drive, Suite 816, Oakland, CA, 94621, U.S.A

    Aleta Mullen

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  1. Edward F. Murphy Jr.
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  2. John D. Gordon
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  3. Aleta Mullen
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Murphy, E.F., Gordon, J.D. & Mullen, A. A Preliminary Study Exploring the Value Changes Taking Place in the United States since the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack on the World Trade Center in New York. Journal of Business Ethics 50, 81–96 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000020879.93654.86

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