Relative Emphasis on Nine Values by a Group of College Students

Abstract

The problems were the following: (a) the relative degree to which Ss emphasize 9 values and (b) the relationship between the emphases and demographic data pertaining to Ss. A questionnaire with paired comparisons of the values and demographic questions was administered to 139 students at Duke University. The results indicate the values were emphasized in the following order from high to low with significant differences ( p = .05): Self-interpretation; Self-actualization; Humanistic Support, Relationship as a homogeneous subset; Positive Evaluation of Suffering, Dedication, Support, Achievement as a homogeneous subset; Conformity. The relationships of demographic data to the choices were reported. One conclusion was that values which focus on Ss themselves received the highest emphases.