Scholars have recently highlighted that research on paradoxical frames leaves out contextual features. This is surprising as prior researchers have argued based on social construction arguments that these features play a role in influencing responses to paradoxes. Particularly, we currently lack an integrative understanding on the cyclical dynamics and the interplay between paradoxical frames and context-based mechanisms embedded in culture that shape how individuals and collectives adopt paradoxical frames and respond to paradoxical tensions. Hence, this conceptual study aims to offer an integrative model introducing values as traits inherent to individuals’ paradoxical frames, and schemas and norms as psychological mechanisms embedded in culture that shape individuals’ and collectives’ paradoxical frames once they are activated and become prevalent. Additionally, the model includes situation-specific factors which dynamically serve as activators that influence which mechanism takes prevalence. Accordingly, this conceptual study will shed light on how culturally embedded mechanisms and situation-specific factors influence the activation and prevalence of individual and collective paradoxical frames that individuals adopt when shaping responses to paradoxical tensions.