Interpersonal Perception of Values

Abstract

The study investigated the perception of 69 conservative and 69 liberal undergraduate students regarding traditional American values by means of the Interpersonal Perception Method. Kendall correlations indicated agreement, partial understanding, and awareness about priorities given to certain values. x2 tests further indicated specific values that were mutually agreed upon, understood, and realized as well as values that reflected disagreement, misunderstanding, and unawareness. The results suggest that, while conservatives and liberals may agree about the relative position of a specific value in a rank order, they may basically disagree about accepting or rejecting that value.