Normative Transgression

Within the framework of social psychology, ^{Beramendi (2014}) and ^{Beramendi & Zubieta (2014}, ²⁰¹⁸) propose a model to analyze the functioning of the normative system, defined as a complex organism that includes norms, institutions and agents that promote, support and control them, as well as citizens' normative beliefs and practices about norms. The normative system contemplates three dimensions:

Various investigations were carried out based on this approach, which analyzed the perception of the normative system and different variables. A cross-cultural study was carried out comparing Argentine, Peruvian and Venezuelan citizens, resulting in the perception of the normative system being more negative in Venezuela, followed by Peru and finally Argentina (^{Beramendi, Espinosa & Acosta, 2019}). In the local context, research shows that in Argentina emerges mainly the lack of institutional legitimacy, which is directly related to transgression - a naturalized and accepted fact - and the perception of a double standard of formal and informal norms that coexist. And women were found to have a greater negative perception than men of the normative system (^{Beramendi, 2014}). Likewise, in Buenos Aires, university students and future officers of the Argentine army perceived that the functioning of the normative system is adverse, and is associated with feelings of social demoralization, and negative emotions/feelings such as sadness and mistrust (^{Beramendi & Zubieta, 2016}).

Values

One of the most recognized theories of values ​​at present is the theory Functional Theory of Human Values ​​(^{Gouveia et al. 2008}). This presents an integrative model that includes four main assumptions: 1) Human Nature: it takes on the benevolent or positive nature of human beings, so that it only admits positive values. 2) Motivational Basis: values ​​are assumed as cognitive representations of human needs but also of institutional and societal demands. 3) Terminal Character: only terminal values ​​have been taken into account, conceived as superior and transcendent cognitive goals, not being restricted to immediate and biologically urgent goals. 4) Individual Guiding Principles: values ​​incorporated by the culture that have been useful for the survival of the group, making them desirable, and that enable the continuity of society, enabling general categories of guidance for the behaviors of individuals.

^{Gouveia, Santos, Athsyde, Souza and Gusmão (2014}) have identified two main functions of human values: (1) guide actions (type of orientation) and (2) represent human needs (type of motivator). The first function presents three orientation possibilities: social, central and personal. The second function of values ​​is to cognitively represent human needs. In this sense, all values ​​can be classified as materialistic (pragmatic) or humanitarian (idealistic). Materialistic values ​​are related to practical ideas, and an orientation towards specific goals and regulatory rules. Humanitarian values ​​express a universal orientation, based on more abstract ideas and principles. In this way the horizontal axis would correspond to the function of values ​​to guide human actions, while the vertical axis would indicate the function of the values ​​to cognitively represent human needs.

According to Figure 1, the three types of orientation are represented by two sub-functions each: social (normative and interactive), central (existence and supra-personal) and personal (realization and experimentation). Similarly, three sub-functions represent each of the motivating types: materialism (existence, normative and realization) and humanitarian (supra-personal, interactive and experimentation). Therefore, it is possible to speak of six differentiated quadrants: social-materialist, central-materialist, personal-materialist, social-humanitarian, central-humanitarian and personal-humanitarian (^{Gouveia, Milfont et al., 2014}).

Figure 1: Facets, dimensions and subfunctions of the basic values (Gouveia, 2013). 

Both functions and sub-functions of the values ​​are latent structures, which require a representation through specific indicators or values. ^{Gouveia, Milfont et al. (2014}) describe six sub-functions:

Welfare

The psychological and social perspective of health and well-being envisions an approach that accounts for the interrelationship of individual and social needs as promoters of well-being or discomfort. It is a question of studying not only the psychological criteria but also the social criteria of well-being, that is, the relationship of people with their environment and how it ensures their well-being of relational and microsocial criteria, which society must offer the person for it to meet its needs (^{Hervás & Vázquez, 2013}).

The need for brief and comprehensive measures that can be used to perform rapid, reliable and valid assessments of well-being promoted the development of the Integrative Welfare Model, The Pemberton Happiness Index (PHI) (^{Hervás & Vázquez 2013}) validated for a variety of languages ​​and countries since its inception. ^{Hervás and Vázquez (2013)} proposed a comprehensive approach which incorporates three types of well-being: subjective, psychological and social.

Subjective well-being: defined as "a broad category of phenomena that includes people's emotional responses, satisfaction with domains and global judgments about life satisfaction" (^{Diener, Suh, Lucas & Smith, 1999}, p .277). It is linked to the hedonic tradition of well-being, which attributes that well-being consists of subjective happiness, and refers to the experience of pleasure versus displeasure.

Psychological well-being: ^{Ryff and Keyes (1995}) focused their attention on capacity development and personal growth, conceived as key indicators of positive functioning, both personal and interpersonal perception, appreciation of the past, participation in the present and mobilization for the future (^{Valle, Beramendi & Delfino, 2011}). Linked to the eudaemonic tradition of well-being, which indicates that true happiness is found in the expression of virtue; in doing what is worth doing (^{Ryan & Deci, 2001}), as well as in living a life that represents human excellence (^{Ryan, Huta & Deci, 2006}).

Social welfare aims to characterize positive functioning, not at the private and personal level, but at the level of the individual's relationship with the public and social domain (^{Keyes, 1998}). That is, to give relevance to “the individual as well as the social, to the given world as to the inter-subjectively constructed world, to nature and to history” (^{Blanco & Diaz, 2005}, p. 585). ^{Keyes (1998)} points out that each person's evaluation of the circumstances (social welfare), and the functioning of society is also necessary to think and understand the concept of well-being.

Objectives

The overall objective of this research is to analyze the relationship between the perception of the normative system, psychosocial well-being, and human values ​​in workers in the private and public sphere of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and Conurbano Bonaerense. Specific objectives are expected to describe the perception of the normative system, psychosocial well-being, and human values in private and public workers of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and Conurbano Bonaerense. And on the other hand, to investigate differential profiles in the psychosocial aspects mentioned in the main objective based on socio-demographic aspects, such as age, gender, place of residence, religious practice, work environment and psychosocial aspects such as economic self-perception economic and ideological self-positioning.

Method

Descriptive analysis of scales

From the data obtained, as observed in Table 1, participants perceive the Argentine normative system negatively. The worst evaluated dimension was the Perception of Lack of Legitimacy, followed by the Perception of Transgression, and finally by the Perception of Normative Weakness dimension. To compare the scores between dimensions, a repeated measures ANOVA was calculated. The data indicates that the Mauchly sphericity test is rejected, so the Greenhouse-Geisser correction is used, which indicates that there is a difference between the dimensions, F (1, 915) = 17.303, p <.001. To observe the differences between these, the main effects were compared, corroborating the differences between all the variables of the scale and the order named.

Table 1: Descriptive analysis of the scales 

In relation to the results of the Basic Values ​​scale, Table 1 shows the descriptive analyzes that indicate the scores obtained by the participants. As in the previous analysis, a repeated measures ANOVA was carried out, which rejected the Mauchly sphericity test, indicating that there are differences between the sub-functions, F (4, 173) = 79,806, p <.001. In addition, to observe the differences between the sub-functions, the main effects were compared. This resulted in the existence sub-function obtaining the highest scores. Next, the interactive and supra-personal sub-function also reflected high scores. While the experimentation, realization and regulation sub-functions showed lower ratings, being the last one that obtained the lowest score.

With respect to the Integrative Wellbeing Scale (PHI), the sample score indicates that participants have high well-being. In this sense subjective, psychological and social well-being are integrated allowing optimal functioning of the person as well as interaction with the social context (Table 1).

Comparison between variables associated with work

In relation to the variables associated with the work, we can observe in Table 2 that there is no difference in the perception of the normative system according to the scope of work of the participants. Regarding the comparison of values, it can be seen that the only difference is found in the Supra-personal sub-function where private sector participants have higher scores. No significant differences were found regarding the residence of the workplace.

Table 2: Workspace 

On the other hand, differences were found in relation to the distinct groups representing different ranges of years of work, where people who have been working for 5 to 10 years have higher scores in the experimentation sub-function (z = 10,840, p = .03 ).

However, regarding the analysis of the socio-demographic variables evaluated, Table 3 shows that differences were found with respect to gender, particularly in the supra-personal and interactive sub-functions, these being mostly valued by women. Also relevant differences were found regarding the welfare of workers, where it is observed that women perceive less well-being in relation to men.

Table 3: Gender difference 

Regarding the differences according to the age of the participants, only differences in the values ​​were observed. From the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Bonferroni contrast analysis, younger participants were found to have mostly experimental values than larger (z = 11.29, p = .01). In addition, differences were found between the older and middle-aged groups, with the first group presenting the highest scores (z = 7.18, p = .03). In relation to the normative dimension, it is observed that there are only differences between the middle-aged group and the smallest group, the first ones having the highest scores (z = 7.87, p = .02).

On the other hand, differences were found between workers residing in CABA and Conurbano Bonaerense, with the last ones having the lowest scores in the normative dimension, t(146) = 2,264, p = .03; M_CABA = 4.37, SD = 1.24; M_Conurbano = 3.93, SD = 1.12). Regarding the educational level, this socio-demographic variable was regrouped, and a differentiation of the variable between primary, secondary, tertiary and university was obtained. The results show that no differences were found between the variables analyzed and the educational level of the workers.

Discussion

The results reveal that there is no relationship between the perception of the normative system, values ​​and well-being. These data attracts attention as these concepts are understood as part of a system that interacts and influences each other, and as part of the social framework that converges in the creation of cultural and individual identity. Understanding by this fact that, whether positively or negatively, a relationship between variables would be found as part of the complexity that makes to society.

Previous studies (^{Gouveia et al., 2008}, ^{Gouveia, Milford et al., 2014}; ^{Schwartz, 1977}) argue that values ​​being holistically engaged to people affect their way of perceiving the norm, and this will affect well-being. But, it is likely that a context where transgression is part of the socialization process, historically and culturally rooted, directly influencing the legitimacy of institutions, will no longer have an impact on other complex processes of individuals because it is naturalized.

On the other hand, it is clear from the results a relationship between well-being and the values ​​of the workers. The integration between deeply rooted values, which are holistically or totally engaged in the life of the individual, allows the optimal development of psychological and health capacities, as well as cognitive thinking (^{Ryff & Keyes, 1995}). The results showed more precisely a relationship between well-being and values ​​such as knowledge, maturity, beauty, affectivity, coexistence and social support. These values ​​are mainly represented by young people (^{Gouveia, Santos et al., 2014}), and are characterized as values ​​that respond to a more idealistic or humanitarian motivation where it does not affect whether or not there is access to the necessary and basic material goods for the survival, which are more associated with the incidence of social norms to access them. This research was mainly formed by young people, which would explain the results.

The findings show that workers believe to a greater extent that there is a lack of legitimacy associated with the lack of distributive and procedural justice, corruption events, low efficiency and institutional trust, and authoritarianism by the authorities. In the second instance, participants perceive high levels of widespread transgression that are rooted in shared beliefs and patterns, as well as visualize low levels of control and sanction with respect to non-compliance with the rules. Transgression appears as a shared and naturalized belief in the Argentine context, which alerts and induces rethinking the concept of norm, since it has a negative aspect, associated with arbitrariness and meaninglessness. Finally, to a lesser extent, workers believe that norms are arbitrary and meaningless, and perceive double institutional standards, where informal norms have more power than formal ones, suggesting that transgression is introduced into the institutional life of Argentine society by imposing guidelines of interaction that live with her. As they also believe that the authorities of the institutions are above the norms. In this way, people visualize transgression not as an isolated and reduced fact to a specific group of society, but as something that is embodied in a generalized and rooted way in the social framework. These results are consistent with previous research conducted in the local context (^{Beramendi, 2014}; ^{Beramendi et al., 2019}; ^{Beramendi & Zubieta, 2014}, ²⁰¹⁸).

Regarding psychosocial repercussions, workers manifest a type of central orientation of values, and the type of motivator has a tendency to be mostly humanitarian (^{Gouveia et al., 2014}), which does not mean that participants are better represented by materialistic values, or one cannot speak of a tendency towards the social or personal. That said, it was observed that health, survival and personal stability are the most esteemed values, representing a central orientation with a materialistic motivator. Which are preferred by individuals in contexts of economic scarcity, or by those who have been socialized in such environments (^{Inglehart, 1977}). However, participants also highlighted equal peer relationships, the universal principle of orientation, and the openness to change that represent a humanitarian motivation. Usually it is the young people, mostly in this research, who are characterized by this type of motivator, where equality of groups and change are some values ​​that represent them. And justifying that, on the contrary, the importance of preserving conventional culture and norms, valuing the religiosity and tradition, are some of the aspects less valued by the participants. We find that older people are typically more likely to be guided by these values ​​(^{Rokeach, 1973}). Prioritizing normative values ​​would show that obedience to authority is important.

On the other hand, in terms of psychosocial well-being, the results showed a high level of well-being in the workers. This suggests a high capacity of development and personal growth, both conceived as main indicators of the positive functioning of mental health (^{Ryff & Keyes, 1995}). Positive relationship of workers with their own satisfaction, emotions, and a feeling of happiness based on high subjective well-being (^{Rodríguez-Carvajal, Díaz, Moreno-Jiménez, Blanco & van Dierendock, 2010}). It is striking that there is no direct impact of the transgressive system on welfare. That is to say, the results obtained are contradicted, since they refer to a high social well-being that implies the relationship of the individual with the public and social domain (^{Valle et al., 2011}), and high scores were obtained in the negative assessment that the workers make of the circumstances and the normative functioning within society.

On the other hand, because there were no differences in the perception of the normative system among those who work in the public sphere of the private sector, it is possible to indicate a generality in the institutional normative problem that crosses the whole society and is not limited to an area of ​​society in particular. Although there is no difference, private sector workers are those who claim to have greater well-being. In this sense, one might think that the private sphere is characterized by a more positive organizational climate and working conditions, where labor and personal development, stability, and satisfaction of life goals are promoted, allowing us to talk about a psychological functioning more positive.

Since transgression is an accepted and collectively applied social norm, normative non-compliance becomes a descriptive social norm (^{Cialdini, 2007}), which informs people about how they should behave normatively, works only as adaptive and context-effective behavior (^{Beramendi, 2014}). Therefore, workers adopt, on the one hand, a way of managing with respect to norms, dissociating their actions, legitimized by the rest of society, from their personal integration with society. In this sense, autonomy and social coherence is maintained. Well-being, in addition of being promoted by the work environment, could be thought as a result of a differentiation between acting in society, and the own and individual search for integrative well-being.

Regarding gender, women were found to attach greater importance than men to values ​​of knowledge, maturity and beauty, which is associated with a current cultural context that gives value to aesthetics and self-improvement. And at the same time, they represent the needs of belonging, love and affiliation, values ​​that are mostly expected, allowed and socialized in the female gender. In addition, they score highest in relation to well-being. The data is consistent with previous research where women measure better in relation to men, showing stability and trust needs more satisfied (^{Ryff & Keyes, 1995}). From a social perspective, women better assess the quality of their relationships with society or their groups of belonging, while feeling more useful, as they manage to make the most of the environment and contribute to the common good (^{Zubieta, Muratori & Fernández, 2010}).

In the age variable it was found that the youngest prioritize the satisfaction of basic physiological needs (e.g., eating, drinking, sleeping) and the need for security, directly associated with the socio-economic context. Moreover, in the society they build, values ​​are no longer primarily linked to production. Work no longer carries with it the signs of social recognition (^{Sanchis, 1988}) giving rise to another type of current social recognition such as the search for happiness and satisfaction. Likewise, it was observed that this group differs from those of middle age, who are more in agreement with the importance of preserving culture and conventional norms. It corresponds to previous research, where older people are typically more likely to be guided by these values ​​(^{Gouveia et al., 2015}). Consequently, it is the young people who have just begun their employment and who have been working for 5 to 10 years. They observe the need for satisfaction and pleasure, and the promotion of changes and innovations in the structure of social organizations, all characteristics commonly adopted by young people.

One of the possible limitations of the sample is the non-probabilistic nature and the mainly focus on a small part of Argentina (CABA and Conurbano). Another limitation that was found is the absence of counterbalance of the scales.

These findings are useful as a diagnostic tool to understand the beliefs and practices that support normative transgression in institutions and, depending on them, work on interventions aimed at promoting their change, such as understanding the values ​​that sustain these practices and their impact on people's well-being. These limitations will be considered in future studies while incorporating new analysis variables as well as new measures to assess well-being. It is relevant to continue addressing the phenomenon of transgression in the local context, as the perception levels of normative malfunction are high and completely harm society as a whole.