Individual Level: Scoring Key For PVQ IV Value Scale PVQ #
Individual Level: Scoring Key For PVQ IV Value Scale PVQ #
Schwartz
Scoring Key for PVQ IV Value Scale
PVQ #
Individual Level
Conformity 7,16,28,36
Tradition 9,20,25,38
Benevolence 12,18,27,33
Universalism 3,8,19,23,29,40
Self-Direction 1,11,22,34
Stimulation 6,15,30
Hedonism 10,26,37
Achievement 4,13,24,32
Power 2,17,39
Security 5,14,21,31,35
The score for each value is the mean of the raw ratings given to the items listed above for
that value. For most purposes, it is necessary to make a correction for individual
differences in use of the response scale before performing analyses. Below are
instructions for making the correction that is appropriate to various types of analyses.
Failure to make the necessary scale use correction typically leads to mistaken
conclusions!
Individuals and cultural groups differ in their use of the response scale.1 Scale use
differences often distort findings and lead to incorrect conclusions.2 To correct for scale
use:
(A) Compute scores for the 10 values by taking the means of the items that index it
(above). If you wish to check internal reliabilities, do so for these value scores.
(B) Compute each individual’s mean score across all 40 value items. Call this MRAT.3
(C) Center scores of each of the 10 values for an individual (computed in A) around that
individual’s MRAT (i.e., subtract MRAT from each of the 10 value scores)
2. For group mean comparisons, analysis of variance or of covariance (t- tests, ANOVA,
MANOVA, ANCOVA, MANCOVA): Use the centered value scores as the dependent
variables.
3. For regression:
a. If the value is your dependent variable, use the centered value score.
Shalom H. Schwartz
5. Exploratory factor analysis is not suitable for discovering the theorized set of relations
among values because they form a quasi-circumplex, which EFA does not reveal. Factors
obtained in an EFA with rotation will only partly overlap with the 10 values and will
exploit chance associations. The first unrotated factor represents scale use or
acquiescence. It is not a substantive common factor. A crude representation of the circular
structure of values can be obtained using EFA by plotting the value items in a two-
dimensional space according to their loadings on factors 2 and 3 of the unrotated solution.
Footnotes
1. For a discussion of the general issue, see Saris (1988). Schwartz, et al. (1997) examine
meanings of such scale use as an individual difference variable. Smith (2004) discusses
correlates of scale use differences at the level of cultures.
3. When centering, do not divide by individuals’ standard deviation across the 40 items. This
is because individual differences in variances of value ratings are usually meaningful. Even
if, on average, individuals attribute the same mean importance to the set of values, some
Shalom H. Schwartz
individuals discriminate more sharply among their values and others discriminate less
sharply. Standardizing that makes everyone’s variance the same (i.e., 1) would eliminate
these real differences in the extent to which individuals discriminate among their values.
4. Centering creates linear dependence among the items. This is problematic in these analyses
The scale use problem is avoided or eliminated by other aspects of these analyses without
centering.
*Schwartz, S. H. (1992). Universals in the content and structure of values: Theory and
empirical tests in 20 countries. In M. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in experimental social
psychology (Vol. 25) (pp. 1-65). New York: Academic Press.
*Schwartz, S.H. (1996). Value priorities and behavior: Applying a theory of integrated value
systems. In C. Seligman, J.M. Olson, & M.P. Zanna (Eds.), The Psychology of Values: The
Ontario Symposium, Vol. 8 (pp.1-24). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
*Schwartz, S.H., Verkasalo, M., Antonovsky, A., & Sagiv, L. (1997). Value priorities and
social desirability: Much substance, some style. British Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 3-
18.
*Schwartz, S. H. (2003). A Proposal for Measuring Value Orientations across Nations. Chapter 7
in the Questionnaire Development Package of the European Social Survey. Website:
www.Europeansocialsurvey.org.
*Schwartz, S. H. (2004a). Basic human values: Their content and structure across countries.
In A. Tamayo & J Porto (Eds.), Valores e trabalho [Values and work]. Brasilia: Editora
Universidade de Brasilia.