Values can be broadly categorized into two. Personal values are values relating to human personality development, and such values include integrity, honesty, and loyalty. Another category is the collective values associated with group solidarity or societal norms of justice, sociableness, and solidarity. These traits also established the ethical values expected of individuals within the society. There are also four major detailed value categorizations as elaborated below.
Terminal Values
According to Rokeach, terminal values are the ultimate goals individuals or groups intend to achieve. Rokeach was a popular psychologist who extensively studied personal values. Terminal values include a sense of accomplishment, worldwide peace, self-respect, and family security. These values are usually the results or the state people intend to attain. In a group's or an individual's value system, terminal values are the highest ranked ideals. These values influence other values related to decisions made by an individual to achieve the desired condition.
For instance, people who wish to attain a sense of accomplishment through wealth must prioritize values and life choices aligned to gaining wealth. Terminal values are considered the most important values as they determine strategies of people's duties and virtues. Terminal values are the most stable and predictable as they rarely change over time.
Instrumental Values
Rokeach describes instrumental values as specific modes of behavior that help an individual to achieve the desired purpose. Preferred personal character traits make up most of the instrumental values. Independently these values are not a goal but rather a method through which the end goal is achieved. Examples of instrumental values include self-control, honesty, sincerity, and ambition. The values are not useful to the individual as they are, but an individual can achieve a higher goal with them.
Instrumental values are closely linked to terminal values, as without these values, the desired goals cannot be achieved. For example, if someone wants self-accomplishment or wealth as the ultimate goal, they cannot achieve such a goal without determination or courage. Mist crucial thing about instrumental values is that they direct people in determining how they should behave when pursuing their goals.
Dominant Values
Dominant values were studied by philosopher Eduard Spranger and are closely related to people's personalities. These are the major values and can be seen as stronger or more present in a person. The values shape personal beliefs and perceptions of the world. Dominant values are also the beliefs that are widely shared among a group, culture, or group. In more applicable terms, an employee can have several values, such as honesty and loyalty. Both are acceptable traits and outline good behavior.
However, if such an employee witnesses the supervisor engaging in malpractice, the employee will have to choose between whistle-blowing or staying loyal to the supervisor and not saying anything. Dominant values come to play whereby if honesty is the dominant value, the employee will report the case and sacrifice their loyalty to the supervisor. However, if loyalty is the dominant value, the employee will choose to protect the supervisor. Dominant values are usually superior when there is a conflict of values.
Cultural Values
Cultural values provide for the main principles that society or community acts upon. The cultural values establish a harmonious association between people who shares these principles. In other words, cultural values establish what a community believes is fair, right, and just. However, cultural values sometimes create conflicting value, given that it is based on a collection of people with different personal values. An example is American cultural values based on individualism and hard work.
There are also individuals within the American culture with values aligned with charity and benevolence. These personal values can conflict with what is generally seen as the entire society's beliefs. Other aspects of cultural values arise from customs and traditions passed down to generations. Such can include how people talk, religious beliefs, dress code, and music. Over time due to globalization, intercultural interactions and cultural values have been shared, and gradually, distinctions in cultural values are continuing to blur.
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
