THE PERSONAL
VALUES SCALE
The Personal Values Scale is a psychological instrument which measures the importance of 24 values for an individual. It gives us a good insight into human motivation. The scale consists only of personal values, each of them relates to one basic human motive. The values are carefully chosen, so that they are independent as possible; their meaning overlaps minimally.
The scale was published by Center za psihodiagnostična sredstva, Ljubljana (The Canter for Psychodiagnostic Instruments) in 2002. The test package consists of:
- the scale (A4 sheet with instructions on one side and the scale on the other),
- the manual,
- the evaluation sheet,
- Excel spreadsheet for evaluation and archiving,
- Powerpoint presentation.
The values are very carefully verbally formulated. Main values labels are in the taxonomy chapter. Besides the main label each value is defined additionally with a short phrase, for instance:
new experiences / adventures
to live exciting, interesting life
The task of each individual is to sort values according to the importance they have for him and his life as life principles. The 24 values must be sorted in a forced distribution of 7 categories with frequencies: 1 - 2 - 4 - 10 - 4 - 2 - 1. It means: In the first category the most important value is written, in next category two values are written that follow according to their importance, then next four important values come. After that the instruction says that individual should begin sorting from bottom up: in the last category the least important value, and next two not very important values and four that follow. In the middle category 10 values of average importance are left.
Reliability and validity of the scale are only preliminary evaluated. For reliability only test-retest method applies and first estimates show values around 0,90. Validity should be evaluated with studies where other individual values scales and motivation test should be applied. Correlations with a motivation test named Estimates and with The Job Motives Scale indicate an appropriate validity. Also correlations with the Cattell 16PF and The Big Five Questionnaire show the difference of values and personality traits.
You can participate in a research and try a modified version on-line here: