Exploring the Psychology of Inheritances
Abstract
Summary: Three studies investigated inheritances. The first, a content analysis of 248 consecutive wills probated in Christchurch, indicated that people predominantly distribute their estates within their families, often to their spouse or equally among their children. Study 2 investigated the significance 89 beneficiaries attached to bequests they had received. Bequests of money or real estate were invested with less personal significance than bequests of specific objects. Study 3 questioned 38 informants about inheritance conflicts, which turned out to be long-lasting, usually confined within families, and common, especially where wills did not distribute resources equally.
Zusammenfassung: In drei Studien wurden Erbschaftsangelegenheiten untersucht. Die erste Studie, in welcher 248 Testamente aus Christchurch analysiert wurden, ergab, dass der eigene Besitz hauptsächlich Familienangehörigen vermacht wird, oft dem Partner oder der Partnerin oder zu gleichen Teilen den Kindern. Die zweite Studie ging der Frage nach der Bedeutung von Hinterlassenschaften für die Erben nach. Geld und Grundbesitz waren von geringerer persönlicher Symbolhaftigkeit als spezifische Objekte. In der dritten Studie wurden 38 Personen über Erbstreitigkeiten befragt. Konflikte wurden als lang andauernd beschrieben, bestanden üblicherweise zwischen Familienangehörigen, und traten vermehrt dann auf, wenn Hinterlassenschaften nicht zu gleichen Teilen an die Erben verteilt wurden.
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