Assessment of Children’s Value Structures and Value Preferences

Abstract

Contrary to those of adults and adolescents, children’s value structures and value preferences have rarely been investigated. This paper bridges this gap by building on Schwartz’s (1992 ) value theory. We present two studies: one in which children from Germany, Portugal, and Chile, aged 10 to 12 years, completed the Portrait Values Questionnaire ( Schwartz et al., 2001 ); and one in which children from Germany and France, aged 7 to 12 years, completed the Picture-Based Value Survey for Children ( Döring, Blauensteiner, Aryus, Drögekamp, & Bilsky, 2010 ). Theory-based multidimensional scaling analyses revealed differentiated value structures in both studies. Findings on children’s value preferences converged with evidence from adult samples ( Schwartz & Bardi, 2001 ). The results are discussed in light of the present state of knowledge and consequences for future research.