The book’s theoretical framework was operationalized into the , a self-report instrument that quickly became a standard in the field. The RVS lists the 18 terminal and 18 instrumental values in alphabetical order. Participants are not asked to rate each value in isolation, but to rank-order each set of 18 from "most important" to "least important" as guiding principles in their lives.
In "The Nature of Human Values," Rokeach proposes that human values are:
In 1973, psychologist Milton Rokeach published his seminal work, "The Nature of Human Values," with The Free Press in New York. This influential book explores the concept of human values, their structure, and their role in shaping human behavior.
Rokeach posited that the relationship between the two is functional. For instance, if "A World at Peace" is a high-ranking terminal value, an individual might rank "Helpful" or "Forgiving" highly as instrumental values to achieve that end. In "The Nature of Human Values," Rokeach proposes
A person’s values form a stable but not immutable value system – a hierarchical organization of rank-ordered terminal and instrumental values that serves as a standard for guiding behavior, judgment, and self-evaluation.
Instrumental values represent the preferred paths, behaviors, or traits utilized to achieve the terminal goals. They are the "vehicles" used to reach the destinations. Ambitious (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) The Political Spectrum: The Two-Value Model
From this definition, Rokeach derived several critical assumptions: For instance, if "A World at Peace" is
This elegant model demystified political philosophy, converting abstract rhetoric into a measurable psychological spectrum. Cognitive Dissonance and Value Change
Rokeach defined a value as 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". Key aspects of this definition include:
These represent the ultimate goals or "ends" an individual hopes to achieve during their lifetime. aspiring) Broadminded (open-minded) Capable (competent
Instrumental Value | Definition, Examples & Importance - Lesson
People do not hold values in isolation; they organize them into value systems. 2. The Core Concept: Terminal vs. Instrumental Values