In the modern world of science and psychology, conducting such tests plays a key role in the study and comparison of personal values of different individuals. These techniques make it possible to analyze and compare a variety of psychological phenomena, as well as to study the links between value orientations. For example, one study examined the values of adolescents who were active in sports compared to those who preferred a quieter and more moderate lifestyle, both physically and morally. Results indicated that health, love, friendship, and family values were found to be important to both groups of adolescents, while beauty and creativity were less emphasized.
What are the main points of Rokeach's theory?
- The total number of values that a person possesses is surprisingly small.
- Almost all people on the planet share similar values, although in different degrees of intensity and expression.
- Values are formed into specific systems, which makes them structured and organized.
- The roots and foundations of human values are embedded in the social environment, culture and social institutions.
- Values influence all aspects of human life, which emphasizes the need to study them in depth.
Two classes of values according to M. Rokeach
In the course of his study of values, Milton Rokeach proposed a convenient classification, dividing values into two main classes. The first class covers terminal values and the second class covers instrumental values. Let's look at each of them in more detail.
Rokeach defines terminal values as fundamental beliefs that certain ultimate goals of existence (e.g., to achieve harmony in one's personal life or to achieve peace on a global level) in terms of personal and social significance are worthy of attention and effort to achieve the desired results.
Instrumental values, in turn, represent the belief that certain ways of acting (such as being attentive to detail or not tolerating shortcomings) are preferable from a personal and societal perspective in all situations, even the most unusual and absurd.
This differentiation of values into "ends" and "means" makes it easier to understand their structure and interrelationships.
What does this methodology give us?
This methodology is aimed at a deep analysis of a personality, helping to reveal their attitude to the world around, life circumstances, other people, as well as to their perception of the world in general.
How does the testing take place?
In the process of testing you will be presented with 18 cards, each of which symbolizes a certain value. Your task is to arrange them in the order of personal importance. The main thing here is to be as sincere as possible: what you value and attach the greatest importance to in your life should take the first place. Then you should arrange the rest of the cards in descending order of importance, so that the eighteenth card will have the least importance for you.
It is recommended to approach this task without rushing, having thought about your priorities and values beforehand. Honesty during the test is extremely important as any distortion of the results can lead to a discrepancy with the real picture.
Take the test based on Rokeach's theory
By taking the test, you will be able to get a breakdown of values into three categories based on their importance:
- The most important values (roughly ranked 1 through 6).
- Values to which you are indifferent (from 7th to 12th place).
- Values that you reject or are indifferent to (from 13th to 18th place).
