By Ruut Veenhoven,Erasmus University Rotterdam
Published in: Social Indicators Research, 1987, vol 18, pp 329-334
ABSTRACT
The results of comparative surveys have demonstrated great differences of perceived life
quality. Yet there is doubt whether these differences mean that people are really more
satisfied in one country than in another. It is generally believed that the responses are
distorted by actors such as language, familiarity with concepts like satisfaction, and
social desirability pressures. Though often alleged. the truth of these charges has not
yet been demonstrated empirically.
Ostroot & Snyder (1985) now claim to have demonstrated that about
40% of the difference in satisfaction between the French and Americans is due to 'cultural
bias'. in particular to a rosier outlook of the latter. Yet their arguments labor under
two defects: firstly, their use of the word 'bias' is misleading. They do not demonstrate
any discrepancy between avowed satisfaction and 'true' satisfaction. Speaking of a
'cultural effect' would be more appropriate. Secondly, Ostroot & Snyder do not
demonstrate that the greater satisfaction of Americans is due to a rosier outlook on their
part. The data did not allow the conclusion that Americans hold a rosier view than the
French, nor that such a view is responsible for their greater satisfaction