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

Min Ma; Jiaxin Deng; Shenglin Zhai; Keke Jia; Jiahui Sui; Nansheng Lin; Mengcheng Wang; Li Zhang

doi:10.1186/s40359-025-03661-5

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

Min Ma, Jiaxin Deng, Shenglin Zhai, Keke Jia, Jiahui Sui, Nansheng Lin, Mengcheng Wang, Li Zhang

Department of Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Article number	1321
Journal	BMC Psychology
Volume	13
Issue number	1
Early online date	28 Nov 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03661-5
Publication status	Published - 31 Dec 2025

Data Availability Statement

The data and R scripts that support the findings of this study are openly
available in OSF platform at https://osf.io/cjtfe/overview?view_only=3083a703
d5534a339ac114418e35beb2.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank associate prof. Li Ming of Beijing Forestry University for his valuable advice on the discussion pertaining to the culture contexts and we thank He Jingyi from Guangzhou University for her assistance in data analysis.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31871120) and Program for Innovation Research in Central University of Finance and Economics.

Keywords

Cross-cultural comparison
Maximizing tendency
Meaning in life
Network analysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Psychology

Access to Document

10.1186/s40359-025-03661-5Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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AU - Lin, Nansheng

AU - Wang, Mengcheng

AU - Zhang, Li

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

Abstract

Data Availability Statement

Acknowledgements

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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