Maximizing tendency and meaning in life: a cross-cultural network analysis of Chinese and American samples

This study examines the link between maximizing tendency and meaning in life across the cultural contexts of China and the United States, revealing the uniqueness and universality of the impact of culture on this relation. Survey data from 1,288 Chinese participants and 1,008 American participants underwent cross-cultural comparison and network analysis. The findings revealed [1] differences in the network structure and core characteristics of maximizing tendency across the two cultural contexts; [2] a consistent positive correlation between maximizing tendency and meaning in life across the two cultures; and [3] cultural differences in the network structure and core characteristics of the relation between maximizing tendency and meaning in life. Maximizing goal was more strongly connected to meaning in the Chinese sample, whereas both maximizing goal and strategy were central in the American sample. These findings provide theoretical and practical insights into how culturally shaped decision-making styles influence the pursuit of meaning in life.