Rokeach's "Value orientations" method: interpretation and processing of results

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

In the 20th century, there lived such a famous American psychologist as Milton Rokeach. He devoted almost his entire career to the study of social and personal values. Although Milton started out as a psychiatrist. But he is known as the developer of a unique concept of value orientations of the individual. And this Rokeach technique is very famous all over the world. As well as the test based on it. However, first things first.

General provisions

Rokeach's method is built around the idea that a value is a firm belief in the fundamental preference for something specific (worldview, way of being, purpose of life, etc.). However, the psychologist also suggests that there are not so many of them.

Milton divided all of them into two types - terminal and instrumental. The former are the beliefs that the ultimate goal of each person's existence is truly worth it.try to reach it.

The second type of values is called instrumental. These, in turn, are beliefs regarding the fact that a certain property of a person or a way of her actions always and in any situation remains a priority.

That is, the first type affects the goals of individual existence, and the second - the methods of achieving them and ways of action.

Specifics

Rokeach's method also involves analyzing values and dividing them into groups, which is logical, since all beliefs relate to certain areas of life. Accordingly, there are values of personal life and professional self-realization, financial (material) and spiritual. The instrumental type mentioned above includes beliefs about communication, ethics, business, altruism, self-affirmation, other people.

Rokeach's method, as practice shows, is interesting and effective. Its advantage lies in versatility, economy and convenience. It is very easy to “examine” a person with its help, as well as process the results. And lists of values (otherwise called stimulus material) can be varied, and instructions can be changed.

True, some highlight the shortcomings. These include social undesirability and the likelihood that the person agreeing to the test will be insincere.

How is the study done?

So, what is the method of M. Rokeach - it's clear. How does the test go?

A person is offered two lists of values (instrumental and terminal). By 18 ineveryone. In what form, in principle, it does not matter. They are usually provided on A4 sheets in the form of a list or on cards.

When a person has received the material, he is given the task of assigning a number to each value. First he needs to deal with the terminal list, and then with the tool list.

Psychologists who routinely administer such tests may ask questions that bring them closer to the subject's preference system. Often they are interested in how values are realized in his life. The answer is usually given as a percentage. They may also ask how a person would arrange cards 5 or 10 years ago. Or how people close to him would distribute them. Questions may lead to other, more personal questions, so it is very important that testing be voluntary and preferably conducted face-to-face.

List 1

Now you can list directly those concepts that include the method of "Orientation Values" by Rokeach. The first list is thermal. It includes the following concepts:

• Active life.
• Wisdom.
• He alth.
• Fun job.
• Art and nature.
• Love and intimacy.
• Financial we alth.
• Having loyal friends.
• Respect and recognition of other people.
• A chance to learn.
• Self-development.
• The opportunity to live productively ("to the full" use of prospects and opportunities).
• Entertainment and leisure.
• Independence and freedom.
• Happiness in personal life.
• The opportunity to be creative.
• Overconfidence.
• The happiness of other people.

So, these are the 18 values that the terminal list includes. On the cards, usually, their broader definition is indicated in brackets, but even so you can understand what is meant.

List 2

But that's not all that the Rokeach method includes. The processing of the results is performed by the psychologist only after the person has de alt with each list. And here's what the second instrumental includes:

• Tidiness.
• Good manners.
• The ability to enjoy life.
• High demands on people and the world.
• Performance.
• Independence.
• Unable to accept shortcomings (both in yourself and in others).
• Intellectuality and education.
• Responsibility.
• Rationalism.
• Self-control.
• Courage, courage.
• Firm will.
• Tolerance.
• Broad-minded, no "frames".
• Honesty.
• Hard work and productivity.
• Caring, sensitivity.

As you can see, the lists differ fundamentally. At least in that the second list includes concepts related to personal qualities, which often play a role in the process of achieving what was listed in the first.

How to pass the test?

At the very beginning it was said that each value is assigned a serial number. The minimum is 1, and the maximum is 5. Units are values that do not have any value. Two - those that, in principle, can be important. Three - values \u200b\u200bwith a certain, specific meaning. Fourth - important statements. And the five - what a person puts above all.

How to determine the result?

This is an important topic. The results according to the Rokeach method are usually determined by the psychologist, since he also conducts the test. But in general terms, it's worth telling how it's done.

So, the test is aimed at studying the values of a person. To better understand the meaning of his actions or deeds. The results are determined by the so-called reliability scale. It is designed to determine how much a person wants his actions to be positively evaluated by others. And the higher the result is, the more the subject corresponds to the so-called “approved” image. But the critical threshold for the generally accepted test is 42 points. If the results exceeded it, then either they are unreliable, and the person was dishonest, or a complex person is sitting in front of the psychologist.

But not the points that a person scored by putting numbers on values are taken into account. The psychologist refers to the reliability scale. If a person, for example, puts a five on a statement that relates to a negative scale, then he will be assigned 1 point. That which carries a negative value, he marked with one? Then they give him a "five". The scale is very voluminous, but with it if desiredcan be consulted individually.

Interpretations

So, in general, it is clear what Rokeach's "Value orientations" method is. Processing the results is the job of a psychologist, but it’s worth talking a little about interpretations. There are several.

There is an interpretation of Rokeach's life values methodology. If this version of the test is used, then according to its results, it turns out that a person considers his main goal - self-development, spiritual satisfaction, creativity, social interaction, prestige and respect, achievement and success, we alth and finances, or the preservation of personal individuality, uniqueness.

There is an interpretation of the spheres of life. During the test, it turns out which area is the most important for a person - professional, educational, family, social, recreational or physical activity.

These are the two most common interpretations. However, it is not surprising why they are. One interpretation is aimed at clarifying the inner world of a person. And the other - to his external world and the sphere in which he is comfortable to exist. However, both are inextricably linked.

What else should I know?

Methodology "Value orientations" reviews are mostly positive. Even psychologists note that it is the most elaborate and reliable. No wonder, because Milton Rokeach is the founder of the concept of values in principle.

Andits effectiveness has been proven. Various studies were conducted - and most actively, of course, young people participated in them: schoolchildren and students. Especially high school students. And most of them put he alth and family life, friends, love, financial we alth and self-confidence in the first place as terminal values. From the instrumental list, many chose cheerfulness, responsibility, good breeding, tolerance and diligence. This choice is not surprising. Moreover, it is correct and predictable. Too global for teenagers? Not at all. Confirmation of this is the saying of the psychologist Eric Homburger Erickson. He assured that young people, in their own way, should be "acrobats." To be able to lower the crossbar of your childhood with just one powerful movement, jump over it, and grab onto the next crossbar of maturity. And in the shortest possible time.

And this is just one example. In fact, the technique of Milton Rokeach is really interesting, effective and efficient. And if there is a desire along with the opportunity, it is worth passing such a test. Alone or with someone, whatever. At least for the sake of interest.