%% #📓 #📄 #🟠 %% # An Overview of the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values **Authors:** [[Shalom H. Schwartz]] **Citation:** Schwartz, S. H. (2012). An Overview of the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values. _Online Readings in Psychology and Culture_, _2_(1). [https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1116](https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1116) --- # Summary This article presents an overview of the Schwartz theory of basic human values. It discusses the nature of values and spells out the features that are common to all values and what distinguishes one value from another. The theory identifies ten basic personal values that are recognized across cultures and explains where they come from. At the heart of the theory is the idea that values form a circular structure that reflects the motivations each value expresses. This circular structure, that captures the conflicts and compatibility among the ten values is apparently culturally universal. The article elucidates the psychological principles that give rise to it. Next, it presents the two major methods developed to measure the basic values, the Schwartz Value Survey and the Portrait Values Questionnaire. Findings from 82 countries, based on these and other methods, provide evidence for the validity of the theory across cultures. The findings reveal substantial differences in the value priorities of individuals. Surprisingly, however, the average value priorities of most societal groups exhibit a similar hierarchical order whose existence the article explains. The last section of the article clarifies how values differ from other concepts used to explain behavior—attitudes, beliefs, norms, and traits. # Notes #### p. 3 - Until recently, there wasn't an agreed-upon conception of basic values, the structure of relations among them or reliable methods to measure them. [[Schwartz theory of basic values]] identifies ten distinct types of values, recognized by all cultures, and specifies how they dynamically relate to one another. ([note on p.3](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=3)) #### p. 3 - [[values|Values]] are structured in similar ways across different cultures, suggesting a universal organization of human motivations. While values and their [[structure of values|structures]] may be universal, the importance or priority individuals and groups attribute to values can be wildly different. #### p. 4 - The ten basic values are defined by their underlying motivations. ([note on p.4](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=4)) #### p. 6 - The function of social institutions requires some degree of status differentiation, which emerges in interpersonal relations within and across cultures. This is why groups treat [[power (value)]] as a value. Individuals may treat power as a value based on a need for dominance and control. ([note on p.6](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=6)) #### p. 8 - Pursuit of any value has consequences that can conflict with some values and are compatible with others. Examples: - Seeking success for self (achievement) tends to get in the way of actions that enhance the welfare of others who need help (benevolence). - Seeking personal success (achievement) is mutually strengthening with enhancing one's social position and authority over others (power) ([note on p.8](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=8)) #### p. 8 - It's possible to pursue competing values, but not in a single act. ([note on p.8](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=8)) #### p. 8 - Values are organized along two dimensions that illustrate how values can conflict along a spectrum. - One dimension contrasts [[openness to change]] and [[conservation]] values, capturing the conflict of independence of thought and readiness for change with order, self-restriction and resistance to change. - The other dimension contrasts [[self-enhancement]] and [[self-transcendence]] values, capturing the conflict of concern for the welfare of others with pursuit of one's own interests and dominance over others. ([note on p.8](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=8)) ![[Schwartz values.jpg]] #### p. 10 - Values are arranged in a [[motivational continuum]] where the closer any two values are the more similar their underlying motivations and the more distant the more antagonistic their motivations. #### p. 12 - Schwartz's values scale measures [[value priorities]] because what affects behavior and attitudes is the tradeoff among relevant values. #### p. 14 - Another structure of relation among values is that some regulate how one expresses personal interests while others regulate how one relates socially to others and their interests, - The values of [[security]] and [[universalism]] are on the boundary and while they primarily concern others' interests, they also regulate pursuit of own interests. ([note on p.14](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=14)) #### p. 14 - Understanding the various relational structures of values can help in predicting and understanding values in relation to different attitudes and behavior. ([note on p.14](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=14)) #### p. 14 - Yet another way values relate is that some are self-protective, seeking to avoid conflict and maintain order, while others self-expansive values that focus on growth. - Achievement values are both self-protective and self-expansive. ([note on p.14](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=14)) #### p. 14 - The [[pan-cultural hierarchy of values]] is probably a result of adaptations to maintain societies and our common human nature. - Values that clash with human nature or the smooth functioning of groups or the larger society are not likely to be important. ([note on p.14](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=14)) #### p. 14 - The basic social function of values is to motivate and control the behavior of group members (Parsons, 1951) ([Schwartz 2012:14](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=14)) Values serve as internalized guides for individuals, relieving the group of having to constantly assert social control. People invoke values to define certain behaviors as socially appropriate and to justify their actions and elicit desired behaviors. ([note on p.14](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=14)) #### p. 15 - Three basic functions of values based on demands of human nature and societal functioning: 1. Promotion and preservation of cooperative relations among group members 2. Individual motivation to invest time and effort to perform productive work, solve problems and generate new ideas and solutions. 3. Gratification of self-oriented needs and desires, as long as they don't undermine group goals, as fuel to stay engaged in group tasks. ([note on p.15](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=15)) #### p. 16 - When explaining why individuals behave the way they do we often look at [[attitudes]], [[beliefs]], [[traits]], or [[norms]], but they vary on different scales than values, so they are measured differently. ([note on p.16](zotero://open-pdf/library/items/3SWNKS8Q?page=16)) ## My Questions & Thoughts --- # Other References TBR:: 🔖 Bandura, A. (1977). Self efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191-215. (Z) ## Tags