In 1937, a prominent Romanian academic, Constantin Rădulescu-Motru, published a study titled The Psychology of the Romanian People. A remake of the old study was needed to clarify our place and role within the value framework of the new geopolitical structures. The new research took around ten years to complete. It was carried out by a team academics led by psychologist Daniel David from the Babeş Bolyai University in Cluj Napoca, and published in 2015 by Polirom: The Psychology of the Romanian People. The Psychological Profile of the Romanians in a Cognitive-experimental Monograph. Here are its main discoveries:


1.The surface psychological profile (How we are)

The surface psychological profile derives from the way in which socio-cultural environment interacts with the depth psychological profile (the potential that we have)


The Romanians’ personality structure may support a bit too many negative aspects (cynicism/ skepticism/ misanthropy)
Romanian culture promotes heterodetermination (influence of tradition/religion), to the detriment of self-determination (autonomy in decision-making), and pragmatism (personal interest), to the detriment of civic spirit.
We have a cultural style that drives us to repress and elude, which in turn makes us defensive. The high potential for cognitive/emotional intelligence, creativity and learning is not exploited. The personality structure, often defensive, sometimes supports too many negative aspects (e.g. cynicism/ skepticism/ misanthropy, etc.). The behavior is one that does not easily obey norms and rules.
Our defensiveness can end up in inferiority complexes or if they are compensated, in superiority complexes

The Romanians’ three major points of reference are the work, family and religion
Through work, in which area we are highly competitive, we feel we gain social recognition and fulfill our potential. If the socio-cultural conditions are favorable, competitiveness can translate into performance. Generally, the higher level of
competition is linked to Protestant values (Hayward and Kemmelmeier, 2007), but in Romania (and in several other countries/cultures) competitiveness exceeds this framework, being probably one of the motivations for emancipation. However, competitiveness as motivation, without knowledge and discipline, does not lead to efficiency.
The family is the environment we perceive as totally safe.
As for religion, it gives meaning to our life.

The Romanians’ cardinal feature is distrust in other people
Except for the close family circle (where they compensate with high trust), the Romanians trust nobody, apparently (eg. neighbors, acquaintances, strangers)
The collectivist culture is characterized by mistrust of foreigners, which among Romanians is amplified by a low level of self-determination and civic spirit. This has generalized into a chronic distrust, including for acquaintances. Acquaintances as well as total strangers, have to work long and hard to gain our trust.
Chronic distrust also prevents us from working well together, from collaborating constructively.

The Romanians demonstrate selfish individualism
Our concern for the general good is low and does not exceed the family or, at the very most, the circle of our acquaintances. We generally have a poor civic spirit and ability to join into collective action for the public benefit, and we are not committed to the common good.
Romanians have lower scores for values such as universalism (concern for the general good), benevolence (good will, concern for the good of those they know), hedonism (seeking pleasure), stimulation (seeking the new) and self-determination (autonomy/independence), but apparently, in order to make a good impression, they can present themselves as giving importance to these values.
For Romanians, universalism is secondary to benevolence, which means that the concern for the good of others does not exceed the family and at very most, reaches the circle of acquaintances.
This shows a selfish individualism that is not opposed to collectivism, but can substantiate it in very specific forms (e.g. family). Opposite to collectivism, is benevolent and universalistic individualism.

The Romanians are quite conformist and prone to obey dogmas
This has to do mainly with the unquestioning acceptance of and submission to religious dogma. Defiance, doubt/disbelief and relativism are lower, and conformity increased, which makes us prone to obey dogmas (in this case religious). However, religion is experienced in a balanced way: besides being normative, it also facilitates good-doing; besides the afterlife, it implies helping and supporting people in this life.
Indeed, Romanians have a high level of religiosity and see religion as very important in their lives (they have great trust in the church). Although they are very confident in scientific development (eg in technology development; in universities), if science collided with religion, 50.2% of Romanians would choose religion over science.

The Romanians seek social power, but in a hypocritical way
From a psycho-cultural point of view, Romanians seek social power, but in a hypocritical way, according to a collectivist culture in which it is not good to show that you want to stand out. They hide this desire under the mask of modesty and sacrifice for others (e.g. 'I wouldn't want power, but people ask me for it...').
Then, the use of power is done in a feminine paradigm, characterized by discussions and the search for consensus. But because social cynicism and skepticism are high, often these discussions towards consensus are burdened by arguments/misunderstandings, concrete plans are not reached, and leadership is often denied due respect.

The Romanians are competent and seek to obtain social status
However, Romanians have high scores for achievement (showing that they are competent), power (to obtain social status) and conformity (to existing norms). Interestingly, the scores for tradition and security are today at an average level (but sometimes they are exacerbated to make a good impression). It is likely that tradition is currently seen especially as a need, Romanians being ready to give it up if it no longer brings a benefit or if something better appears (as most nations have done). It is very likely that security was an important factor in influencing the socio-cultural norms of Romanians, especially in the past. These socio-cultural norms derived from the need for security are still perpetuated today.


2. How do we see ourselves (autostereotypes)

In short, we consider ourselves hospitable, intelligent, with a sense of humor, patriotic, adaptable and friendly. We admit that compared to the attributes mentioned, honesty, self-discipline/conscientiousness and education are lower


3. The depth psychological profile (How we could be)

This profile derives from the interactions of the socio-cultural, ecological environment and biological/genetic factors


There is a gap between the Romanians’ potential and how we actually are

On the one hand, our high potential for cognitive and emotional intelligence, for creativity and learning is comparable to that of the British and the French, on the other its actualization is deficient because of our socio-cultural environment.
Our aspirations are similar to those of Western countries, of which we most admire the US, the UK and France, but we lack the confidence that we can fulfill them. Should our socio-cultural context change, we would stand a good chance to become who we want to become. What’s needed is a paradigm shift at all levels, despite the persistence of the old paradigm.
It is an extremely bad luck that the socio-cultural environment in the country does not allow us to express and capitalize on the potential we have; Romanians often have to go to settled countries in order to excel and realize their good potential. This real opposition between good potential and poor capitalization also appears in Romanians' perceptions based on ethno-psychological analyses, as a national self-stereotype.
In Daniel David’s words, “if we care about this country and these people, I believe it is the job of a new generation of intellectuals to build a new Ethos of the Romanian people. One which maximizes the potential ..., determining through a modern socio-cultural context a surface psychological profile that can turn us into a happy and respected people with key contributions to the human civilization.”



Full book in Romanian language:
https://www.academia.edu/41918349/_D...fil_z_lib_org_

https://danieldavidubb.wordpress.com...-daniel-david/
https://www.studyromanian.com/post/t...omanian-people