Rokeach M 1973 The Nature Of Human Values Pdf
Milton Rokeach's 1973 work, The Nature of Human Values , is a cornerstone of social psychology that redefined how we understand the relationship between beliefs and behavior. Departing from the traditional focus on "attitudes," Rokeach argued that values are the true central core of personality and the primary drivers of human action. Defining the Value System
Rokeach posited that by measuring how individuals rank these values, researchers could predict a wide array of behaviors, including political affiliations, religious beliefs, and social attitudes toward issues like racism or poverty.
These represent preferable modes of conduct. They are the behavioral traits and means used to achieve the terminal goals. (hard-working, aspiring) Broadminded (open-minded) Capable (competent, effective) Cheerful (lighthearted, joyful) Clean (neat, tidy) Courageous (standing up for your beliefs) Forgiving (willing to pardon others) Helpful (working for the welfare of others) Honest (sincere, truthful) Imaginative (daring, creative) Independent (self-reliant, self-sufficient) Intellectual (intelligent, reflective) Logical (rational, objective) Loving (affectionate, tender) Obedient (dutiful, respectful) Polite (courteous, well-mannered) Responsible (dependable, reliable) Self-controlled (restrained, self-disciplined) Cognitive Inconsistency and Value Change
He passed away in 1988, but his intellectual legacy lives on through the , which remains one of the most widely used psychometric tools in the world. rokeach m 1973 the nature of human values pdf
While Rokeach's 1973 monograph remains a masterpiece of behavioral science, it has faced both academic validation and critique over the decades. Evolution into the Schwartz Theory of Basic Human Values
"An enduring belief that a specific mode of conduct or end-state of existence is personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse mode of conduct or end-state of existence." Core Characteristics of Values
To understand how an individual's psychology functions under this framework, it is helpful to look at how terminal and instrumental components interact. Terminal Values Instrumental Values Ultimate goals or desirable end-states of life. Preferred modes of behavior or conduct. Core Question "What do I want to achieve in my life?" "How should I behave to get there?" Psychological Nature Focuses on targets, aspirations, and final outcomes. Focuses on character traits, ethics, and methods. Examples Freedom, Family Security, Wisdom, Happiness. Honesty, Responsibility, Ambition, Logical. Interdependence Milton Rokeach's 1973 work, The Nature of Human
: A change in a core value directly causes changes in attitudes and actions. 2. Terminal vs. Instrumental Values
: Rokeach demonstrated that forcing individuals to recognize contradictions within their value rankings could cause cognitive discomfort, leading to long-term behavioral changes. Applications and Lasting Legacy
In his seminal 1973 book, social psychologist Milton Rokeach revolutionized the study of human belief systems. His work moved beyond simple attitudes to identify the foundational "internal reference points" that guide human behavior, decision-making, and social change. Defining Human Values These represent preferable modes of conduct
Milton Rokeach (1918–1988) was a Polish-American social psychologist who taught at Michigan State University, the University of Western Ontario, and Washington State University. He is best known for his work on dogmatism (The Open and Closed Mind, 1960) and, of course, human values.
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Rokeach developed the Rokeach Value Survey (RVS) to measure individual values. The RVS consists of two parts:
The empirical breakthrough of the 1973 text was the . Instead of rating items individually on a scale, participants are asked to rank-order the 18 terminal values and 18 instrumental values from 1 (most important) to 18 (least important).
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