Abstract
The paper compares the theoretical implications of two popular scales for the measurement of personal values, the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) of Schwartz et al. (J Cross-Cult Psychol, 32:519–542, 2001) and the IRVS of Hermann (Werte und Kriminalität: Konzeption einer allgemeinen Kriminalitätstheorie [Values and criminality: conception of a general theory of criminality], 2003; Zusammenstellung sozialwissenschaftlicher Items und Skalen, 2014). These scales come from psychology and sociology, respectively. They were developed, independently of each other, to serve different purposes, are based on different theories, and use different statistical models. We here study the validity of each scale for either theory. It is shown that using the PVQ methodology leads to similar and robust model solutions for data collected with either scale. Conversely, using the methodology that is standard for Individual Reflexive Value Scale (IRVS) data confirms the theoretical predictions for PVQ data but leads to unstable solutions for IRVS data. Nevertheless, the IRVS suggests “peace of mind” as an additional basic value and items that serve to complement the PVQ value circle. “Religion” is found to also fit into the structure of basic PVQ values but it contains a unique component.
Highlights
Various scales exist for measuring personal values
(2) Their intercorrelations can be represented as distances among points on an approximate circle using multi-dimensional scaling (MDS). (3) On this circle, the points representing the basic values are ordered as power – achievement – hedonism – stimulation – self-direction – universalism – benevolence – tradition – conformity – security – power
Factor analyses of Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) and Individual Reflexive Value Scale (IRVS) items and indexes Exploratory factor analyses (PCA) of the PVQ items with three components led to solutions that clearly replicate Klages’ final three-factor theory (Klages & Gensicke, 2006), with factors SK, security and convention; CE, creativity and engagement; and HM, hedonism and materialism
Summary
The most popular ones in psychological research are the Schwartz Value Survey (SVS) and the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ), both developed, in various versions each, by Schwartz and his collaborators (Schwartz et al, 2000, 2001). Both scales have been constructed to measure “universals” in values, i.e., values that are similar in content and structure across different cultures and countries. The SVS and the PVQ address the same issues, but the scales differ radically in the formatting of their items.
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