A study of values among adolescents : assessing terminal and instrumental value systems and orientations

The aim of this study was to examine the structure of adolescents' terminal and instrumental values by using modified Rokeach's Value Survey. The investigation was carried out with a sample of 311 fourteen years old adolescents. The subjects rated the importance of each value on a seven point scale, and they also chose the first five most important values. The relative importance of the average value- preferences obtained with a rating technique and ranking procedure were compared. Both techniques provided a similar picture of value systems. The ratings of relative importance of 18 terminal and 18 instrumental values were subjected to factor analyses. Instrumental values reflecting morality and adjustment on the one hand and achievement and competence on the other were identified. Terminal values were comprised of social values factor, hedonism and self-actualization. Gender and intelligence differences in value orientations were also examined.The results were discussed with respect to the motivational, adaptive and self-actualization function of values.