Toward the Measurement of Human Values

Abstract

Although knowledge about human values is crucial to understanding human behavior, methods for the study of values are relatively underdeveloped. This article examines selected value theory and research, emphasizing attempts to measure values and their methodological implications. We integrate this examination within a proposed values measurement model, based on a human ecological perspective. In this model, we propose that values investigations may be grouped according to threefoci: content, structure, and process. Additionally, we identify three measurement approaches on the basis of subject‐object inclusion: subject‐only, subject‐object reactive, and subject‐object interactive. As an outgrowth of our methodological assessment and critique and use of the values measurement model, we propose newfrontiersfor values research and measurement.