Chapter 7 Values
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1. Researchers have typically measured values through self-report methods like rating or ranking scales. The most widely used ranking tool is the Rokeach Value Survey which ranks terminal and instrumental values. 2. Shalom Schwartz identified 10 universal human values that are consistently distinguished across cultures. His circumplex model explains how these values relate and the tradeoffs people make between competing values. 3. Values originate from psychological theories like reinforcement, social learning, and cognitive consistency, as well as life experiences that trigger self-examination. Strategies like values self-confrontation aim to change values by exposing contradictions.
Chapter 7 Values
- 1. Values Measuring Values, Universal Structure of Values, Origin of Values Shanika Robinson HBD 4/5785-Positive Psychology
- 3. Researchers for the most part have assumed that people know what they think is desirable and therefore can report a person’s values. The most typical way to measure values is through a self-report. Measuring Values 3
- 4. Different Approaches to Measurement: 1. Ask respondents about specific attitudes and behaviors that presumably reflect a given value. From the pattern of responses, the value is inferred. 2. Indirect strategy of value assessment people can offer abstract judgments about their value that prove scientifically reliable and valid as long as the questions asked to not stray too far away from the value. Measuring Values 4
- 5. 3. Direct Strategy Approach Simple Yes/No endorsement of a value 5 point or 7 point sliding scale of endorsement of a value One question per value and then collectively determining if a value is evident from the combined answers of all the questions 4. Ranking Values Reflects how people use values in daily life Helps to build a value hierarchy for an individual Measuring Values 5
- 6. Ranking cont.. Research tool that is widely used is the Rokeach Value Survey Developed by social psychologist MiltonRokeach (Univ. of Southern Cal) Best known for working with mentally ill patients who believed they were Jesus Christ (research study The Three Christ of Ypsilanti-1964) Best known books – Beliefs, Attitudes, and Values (1964) & Nature of Human Values (1973) Measuring Values 6
- 7. Rokeach Value Survey Consists of two scales of 18 values (scale 1- terminal values, scale 2- instrumental values) Research participants are asked to place the values in order according to their feelings of importance within their lives As a result, the ranking of values yields ipsative scores: positions of each value held by the individual relative to other values. (ex. Power may rank as #1 but benevolence as #12 in one’s value system) Note: ranking yields much of the same results as rating ( ex.5 point or 7 point scale). You can rely on simpler rating scale if desired Measuring Values 7
- 8. Universal Structure of Human Values 8
- 9. Universal Value System Across Nations: Social Psychologist Shalom Schwartz pioneered in this research field Set out to identify universally recognized human values by studying value agreements in various countries Best known for addressing the relationship among different values (structures) and began to study entire value systems globally not just individually His studies became scientifically worthy because they allowed distinct conclusions about the consequences of holding certain values rather than others (meaning- in emphasizing one value, we may be de-emphasizing another) Universal Structure of Human Values 9
- 10. In Schwartz study, he looked at values people distinguished and how these values were related. Study was performed in 70 countries and he found Ten Different Values that are consistently distinguished around the world Universal Structure of Human Values 10
- 11. Ten Different Values Consistently Distinguished Around The World: 1. Achievement - personal success through the demonstration of competence in accordance with society’s standards (ex. ambition) 2. Benevolence - preservation and enhancement of the welfare of others in one’s immediate social circle (ex. forgiveness) 3. Conformity – restraint of actions that violate social norms or expectations ( ex. politeness 4. Hedonism – personal gratification and pleasure ( ex. leisure, enjoyment of food, sex) Universal Structure of Human Values 11
- 12. Ten Different Values Consistently Distinguished Around The World: 5. Power – social status, prestige, dominance, and control over others (ex. wealth) 6. Security – safety, harmony, and stability of society (ex. law & order) 7. Self Direction – independent thought and action ( ex. freedom) 8. Stimulation – excitement, novelty, and challenge in life ( ex. variety) 9. Tradition – respect for and acceptance of one’s cultural or religious customs ( ex. religious devotion) 10. Universalism- understanding, appreciating, and protecting all people and nature (ex. equality) Universal Structure of Human Values 12
- 13. Schwartz Circumplex Model note: the relationship among the values is known as relative emphases 13
- 14. Helps us to make sense of someone’s value system as a whole and the tradeoff that often a person makes within their own value system ex. Someone whose value is strong in security may have a strong passion for becoming involved in an environmental rally (universalism). However, they will not actively walk or demonstrate in the environmental rally because it’s against the laws of the city (security) The Schwartz Circumplex Model 14
- 16. Where do our Values come from? Where do our Values originate? The explanation is usually reflected in what psychological theory is prevalent at the time Origin of Values 16
- 17. 1940s and 1950s Reinforcement Theories- obtaining values was explained in terms of reward and punishment Generations Later The social learning theory of Rotter and Bandura. Value acquisition was explained in terms of modeling or emulating what influential others say and do The Era of Cognitive Revolution Value acquisition was explained in terms of inherent tendencies to be consistent in what one believes or Beliefs are in agreement with one’s values which therefore bring harmony to the person Origin of Values 17
- 18. Today from a Positive Psychology Point of View: Peterson , our author, states that people may acquire values by a deliberate or conscious process of asking what is the right thing and then choosing an answer which in turn becomes a value Origin of Values 18
- 19. Interesting Points from Peterson: The deliberate or conscious embracing of value priorities might be occasioned by events in our lives that trigger scrutiny ex. people who have recovered from a life threatening illness show elevated levels of love or gratitude and as a result, virtues slide into a person’s values People who have had a brush with death say they now “know” what is important in life Origin of Values 19
- 20. Overall : All of these processes of reward and punishment, modeling, cognitive consistency, and self- examination work in partnership to explain how we acquire given values Origin of Values 20
- 21. Values Self – Confrontation Strategy Developed by Milton Rokeach Believed people may place insufficient emphasis on a particular value because they have not confronted the contradiction among their values or priorities The VSCS is a deliberate strategy of changing one’s values by exposing a person to contradiction among one’s value priorities Origin of Values 21
- 22. VSCS Process: Rokeach would confront respondents with their value priorities, explicitly interpret the contradictions found within their values, and wait to see how the respondents would react In a majority of his studies, change in a respondent’s values would occur to satisfy the contradiction ex. In benevolence and honesty- You may want to tell the truth to someone but you have a tendency to please others. However, you may have to say an unpleasant truth even if means causing friction between you and the other party Origin of Values 22
- 23. World Value Survey: Created by Political Scientist Ronald Inglehart A study that periodically surveys people around the world with respect to their attitudes, beliefs, and values Questions range from the mundane( ex. throwing away litter justifies) to the sacred (ex. thoughts about the meaning and purpose of life) 81 different countries (85% of the world’s population) was surveyed Samples were representative- represents a range of individuals across boundaries (age, ethnicity, education, gender, etc..) Origin of Values 23
- 24. Results of the Survey: Values emphasized in a nation are strongly associated with its political and economic institutions As nations develop industrially, specialized and educated labor forces emerge. These individuals value freedom and self expression in all areas of life With industrialization comes trends toward democracy and the endorsement of values that are liberal and secular Generational replacement - value priorities of younger generations eventually replace older generations. Not related to people changing what they value. Traditional and secular values are unrelated to happiness. Value is reflected in what people say is most important in determining their personal happiness Origin of Values 24
- 25. Additional Findings of the Survey: The United States is an inconsistency- the most affluent nation in the world but remains highly traditional in it’s value priorities, especially with respect to religion and nationalism While every nation has a common language, history, and ethnicity to unite citizens, the U.S. only has a common value system where most Americans share same values and typically endorse moderate attitudes, even in disagreements. Origin of Values 25
- 26. Values and Media Ongoing societal debate that media and the people in media have a role in shaping values Overall, people exercise a choice over the media and messages which they expose themselves Surveys show that people listen to news which they already agree In terms of media violence, social scientist agree that exposure to media violence leads people, on average, to be more violent themselves and more desensitized to violence Origin of Values 26
- 27. Values and Media The attempt, in the Positive Psychology perspective, implies that the media should fairly represent the world, what is good about it, what isn’t good about it thereby supplying a range of values to aspire Positive Psychology further believes images of violent role models should be balanced with images of role models who can elevate and inspire us Origin of Values 27
- 28. Conclusions Values are measurable- most typical way to measure is through self-report Values can be Ranked- most popular tool is the Rokeach Survey which ranks how individuals rank terminal vales and instrumental values Shalom Schwartz discovered Ten Different Values that are consistently distinguished around the world The Schwartz circumplex helps to explain an individual’s value system and the tradeoffs one makes to achieve their highest ranked values The explanation of value origins is usually reflected in the psychological theory that is present at the time Origin of Values 28
- 29. Conclusions Value Self-Confrontation Theory- change one’s value by exposing a person to contradiction within their value system World Values Survey Values in a nation are strongly associated with it’s political and economic institutions As nations develop, freedom and self expression become important Industrialization brings trends of democracy which bring forth liberal and secular values Younger generational values eventually replace older generational values Values are reflective but unrelated to happiness Origin of Values 29
- 30. Conclusions Positive Psychology believes media should fairly represent both the good and the bad thereby giving people a range of values to aspire Positive psychology believes there should be a balance of positive and negative role models in media to can elevate and inspire the public Origin of Values 30