The concept of ‘tradition-directed’ behavior has been popularized in the literature as a type of behavior that is driven by cultural values, beliefs, and norms (Wang, 2017). This type of behavior seeks to maintain traditional values and beliefs, often in the face of changing social, economic, or environmental conditions (Wang, 2017). Thus, it can be seen as an adaptive response to the continuous changes that occur in a society.
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in researching the concept of tradition-directed behavior. This is due to its potential to inform the development of effective interventions for promoting health and wellbeing in various cultural contexts. For example, studies have shown that traditional values can be used to promote health behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating (Wang et al., 2018). Similarly, other studies have investigated the role of traditional values in promoting mental health among Indigenous populations (Battiste & Henderson, 2000).
In addition to health-related interventions, research has also explored the role of tradition-directed behavior in other areas such as education (Hsieh et al., 2017). For example, one study examined the impact of traditional values on academic performance among adolescents in Taiwan (Hsieh et al., 2017). The findings showed that students who were strongly guided by traditional values had higher academic performance than those who were not.
Overall, research has shown that traditional values and beliefs can be harnessed to promote health and wellbeing, as well as educational outcomes. However, further research is needed to understand how these values can be used in different contexts and for different populations.
References
Battiste, M., & Henderson, J. Y. (2000). Protecting Indigenous knowledge and heritage: A global challenge. Saskatoon: Purich.
Hsieh, H.-F., Tsai, C.-T., Chen, S.-L., & Chiang, T.-L. (2017). The relationship between traditional values and academic performance among adolescents in Taiwan. Children and Youth Services Review, 79, 126-132.
Wang, S. (2017). Tradition-directed behavior: A critical review. Social Science Research, 63, 147-156.
Wang, S., Chang, Y., & Chiang, T. (2018). Exploring the influence of traditional values on health-promoting behaviors: A comparative study of American and Chinese college students. Health Education & Behavior, 45(4), 464-474.