Development of intraindividual value structures in middle childhood: A multicultural and longitudinal investigation.

OBJECTIVE: We examined changes in value interrelations during middle childhood. In line with the Personal Values Theory, we expected a value system, with individuals similarly valuing related motivations, and setting priorities between conflicting motivations. We hypothesized this system to develop dynamically during middle childhood as children deepen their understanding of their own values. METHOD: Using unfolding analysis, we estimated intraindividual value structure coherence, that is, the extent to which the interrelations among a child's values are similar to the hypothesized interrelations. Cross-Cultural Study 1 (N = 4615, 6-12-year-old children) included children from 12 countries. Cross-Sequential Study 2 (N = 629, 6-10-year-old children at Time 1) included three annual measurements. RESULTS: In Study 1, we found a curvilinear association between age and intraindividual value structure coherence: Children's values were more coherent at ages 9-10 than before or after. Study 2 confirmed this pattern of within-individual development. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that development in coherence with the theoretical value structure offers insight into children's understanding of values as well as changes in value priorities.

Between- and within-person structures of value traits and value states: Four different structures, four different interpretations.

OBJECTIVE: The circular structure of values has been verified mostly at a between-person level and on measures of general value preferences. In this manuscript, we argue that it is a simplification that neglected significant aspects of the value structures and distinguish four different types of structures: (a) between-person structure of value traits, (b) within-person structure of value traits, (c) between-person structure of value states, and (d) within-person structure of value states. We argue that the within-person structure of value states addresses the circular structure of values most accurately. METHOD: To compare all four structures, we collected three partially dependent samples (N1  = 449, N2  = 293, N3  = 218) of adults (age 17-57, M = 24). At three time points, separated by 5-7 weeks, respondents completed a questionnaire measure (Portrait Values Questionnaire-Revised [PVQ-RR]) of value preferences (value traits) and reported the importance of values in their everyday actions (value states) for 1 week in an experience sampling study. RESULTS: The four types of value structures were stable over time. All four were also consistent with Schwartz's value model to some degree, but at the same time, there were some deviations. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to distinguish four types of value structures and be aware of their different interpretations that we outlined in this paper.

Perceptions of values over time and why they matter.

OBJECTIVE: Extant research mostly treats values as being stable over time. Our research examined how people perceive values over time and whether or not these perceptions reflect motivational tensions between theoretically opposing values. We also assessed the viability of examining values over time to predict well-being and future intentions. METHOD: Four studies (N = 934) asked participants to report their values across past, present, and future settings. These temporal trajectories were analyzed across the four types of higher-order values: self-transcendence, self-enhancement, openness, and conservation. Studies 3 and 4 assessed associations with well-being. Study 4 assessed associations with self-reported behavior over time. RESULTS: Across all four studies, participants perceived their values as being dynamic over time. Younger participants' trajectories did not reflect the motivational conflicts typically reported in values research, but Study 4 showed potential awareness in older age groups. Variability in temporal values correlated with well-being, particularly for openness values. Future values predicted future intentions, even when controlling for present values. CONCLUSION: This novel method of examining values provides new understanding into how people perceive the pursuit of values over time. Additionally, we show two ways that a temporal values measure can offer new insights into well-being and future intentions.

The Psycho-Lexical Approach in Exploring the Field of Values: A Reply to Schwartz.

We reply to each of the issues raised by Schwartz in a commentary on our article on a comparison of value taxonomies. We discuss two approaches, mentioned in that commentary, the lexical approach and the theory-driven approach, especially with respect to their capacities in covering the domain of values and with respect to the representation of important values in a useful structure. We refute the critique by Schwartz that the lexical approach is superfluous, because his theory "toward universals in values" would already cover all values, and that their mutual relationships are relevant to individuals around the globe. We explain the necessity and strength of the lexical approach in taxonomizing the value domain, both within and across languages. Furthermore, we argue that principal components analysis (PCA) and simultaneous component analysis (SCA) are most adequate in arriving at a satisfactory structuring of the great many values in terms of both underlying constructs and their facets. We point to a misrepresentation in Schwartz's circular model, and we review some misunderstandings on the side of Schwartz with respect to our results in comparison with those proceeding from his circular model.