In the middle of the 20th century, the American psychologist Milton Rokeach developed a unique concept of personality's value orientations. Until now, it is considered to be in demand and the most methodologically justified by modern specialists. One of its main concepts are terminal values. What it is, we will learn from this article.
General provisions
The core of Milton Rokeach's concept is the idea that all values are a strong belief in the preference for something specific. It can be a worldview, a way of life, a person's goals, etc. Rokeach divided all these beliefs into two types: instrumental and terminal.
The former are called value-means. They are associated with the way a person acts, his personal qualities. Terminal values include beliefs concerning questions about what each person lives for, what he aspires to. A happy family life or world peace is the ultimate goal for each individual. Both types of values are interrelated. The former are the means to the latter.
List
Each type of value has its own list. This is a list of beliefs, united by a common nature. In this article, we focus on terminal values, so we will present this type of stimulus material. It includes:
- Active life. This includes travel, sports, emotional richness, etc.
- He alth - implies good he alth, the absence of pathologies for the implementation of vigorous activity.
- Exciting work - a job that causes positive emotions, interest, desire for personal growth.
- Art and nature - the experience of beauty.
- Happiness in personal life.
- Love is spiritual and physical.
- Financial we alth.
- Having loyal friends.
- Respect and recognition of other people - in other words, it can be called social success.
- The opportunity to study - this item is due to the financial, physical freedom to receive higher education.
- The opportunity to live productively - to use perspectives, opportunities.
- Independence and freedom - concerns the personal and financial sphere.
- The happiness of other people.
- Self-control - self-discipline, restraint.
The list shows the priorities of the existence of the individual. Not all values can belong to one person. As a rule, the standard set is: he alth, happiness in personal life and financial prosperity. Depending on age, gender, social status, personalqualities of a person (instrumental values), this arsenal of target beliefs is changing, expanding.
Specific concept
Rokeach's method is universal. It affects, perhaps, all spheres of human activity. In addition to dividing into terminal and instrumental values, it involves the classification of beliefs relating to personal, business, social, financial, spiritual and other areas. So, for example, you can draw a clear correlation between financial we alth and diligence, productivity, responsibility. And happiness in personal life depends on such qualities as tolerance, sensitivity and caring.
Test
Like any psychological concept, Rokeach's method of value orientations is based on research. There are two author's tests that allow you to determine the importance of an individual's beliefs. Each item in the list has your serial number from 1 to 5:
- Unit marks values that are not of great importance in a person's life.
- A two is a rating of beliefs that may be paramount for some people.
- Three defines values with a specific meaning.
- Four and five marks the beliefs that are really the main thing for the existence of every person.
The test also involves the study of changes in value orientations over time. To do this, there are questions regarding the priorities of a certain person inpast, present and possible future.
The test is necessary in order to understand the meaning of actions, actions of a certain individual. The evaluation criterion is the "reliability" scale. It helps to find out how much a person wants his actions to be noted by others positively or negatively. And the higher the score is the result, the closer the subject to the "approved" image.
Results
It is very important that the test is conducted by a specialist - a psychologist. Usually this is an individual study, less often - a group study. The study of human values in the framework of such a test allows for unreliable data. The subject may deliberately distort the facts in order to achieve a high result. Therefore, Rokeach determined a critical mark - 42 points. Scores higher than this indicate incorrect data.
So, for example, for teenagers, friends and love are priority terminal values. Subsequent positions may be occupied by family and he alth. This is a standard set that can be observed in most emerging personalities. People between the ages of 25 and 35 prioritize family, work, and financial income. If altruistic beliefs fall into the leaders of values, then it can be assumed that the psychologist faces either a complex personality with a high spiritual organization, or there is a deliberate distortion of the data.
Conclusion
- Terminal values are one of the key conceptsin the Milton Rokeach method. They represent the meaning of a person's existence, his goals and priorities, which he is guided by. The higher the needs of the individual, the wider the list of such beliefs.
- Rokeach's terminal values depend on another kind - instrumental beliefs. That is, qualities that help a person achieve those very goals of life.
- Rokeach offered two standard lists of values. However, the flexibility of the methodology allows psychologists, depending on modern realities and personality characteristics, to offer and expand stimulus material. Thus, the list of terminal values included items of self-realization, wisdom, rationalism, and the opportunity to be creative.
It is important to understand that value orientations are the basis of human existence, which contributes to its harmonious development and success. Correction of beliefs based on test results allows solving many psychological, personal, professional and everyday problems of an individual.
