Foundational Value Scale (FVS)

Abstract

The Foundational Value Scale (FVS) is a psychological scale developed initially by Jason and colleagues in 2001 as part of a preliminary effort to measure the complex construct of wisdom. The scale focuses on assessing core characteristics and positive psychological states that are hypothesized to underpin a wise and fulfilled life. These foundational values encompass cognitive abilities, affective states, interpersonal warmth, and spiritual or environmental connectedness. The FVS is primarily used in academic research and community psychology settings to explore dimensions of well-being and resilience, particularly among adolescent populations.

Keywords

Foundational Value Scale, FVS, Wisdom, Harmony, Spirituality, Intelligence, Positive Psychology, Adolescent Development, Self-Esteem, Problem-Solving.

Authors

Leonard A. Jason, Amanda Reichler, Christina King, D. Madsen, J. Camacho, W. Marchese, C. L. Perry, K. A. Komro, R. M. Jones, K. Munson, C. L. Williams.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Foundational Value Scale (FVS) is to operationalize and quantify the diverse characteristics that contribute to human wisdom. Unlike scales focusing solely on cognitive aspects, the FVS aims to measure a holistic collection of traits, including emotional maturity, spiritual awareness, and prosocial behaviors. Research applications have utilized the FVS, particularly its revised version known as the Adolescent Wisdom Scale (Perry et al., 2002), to study its relationship to protective factors against negative outcomes, such as substance use and problem behaviors in youth.

Construct

The FVS measures a multidimensional construct of wisdom defined by fundamental personal and interpersonal values. This construct is typically broken down into several subscales, which reflect a blend of affective, cognitive, and transcendent qualities. These sub-domains characterize a person’s capacity for positive adaptation, self-regulation, and harmonious interaction with the world. Key components of the construct include attributes such as emotional openness, capacity for flow, compassion, and spiritual unity.

Validity

Initial research on the FVS and its subsequent adaptation, the Adolescent Wisdom Scale, sought to establish psychometric validity. Construct validity was supported by demonstrating that the scale measures distinct factors of wisdom (e.g., Harmony, Intelligence, Spirituality). Furthermore, studies have shown that FVS scores correlate meaningfully with positive developmental outcomes and inversely relate to problem behaviors in adolescent populations, providing evidence of predictive and criterion validity for the instrument as a measure of protective factors.

Reliability

The reliability of the Foundational Value Scale, particularly in its refined versions, has been investigated primarily through measures of internal consistency. Studies involving the FVS and the Adolescent Wisdom Scale report that the overall scale and its derived subscales generally exhibit acceptable to good internal consistency (e.g., using Cronbach’s alpha), confirming that the items within each factor measure a shared underlying construct. This psychometric foundation supports the use of the scale scores in research settings.

Factor Analysis

The factor structure of the Foundational Value Scale suggests that wisdom is not a unitary trait but rather a combination of distinct yet related dimensions. The analysis of the items, particularly those used in the Adolescent Wisdom Scale (Perry et al., 2002), typically yields four or five key factors. These include:

• Harmony and Warmth: Encompassing interpersonal compassion, kindness, gratitude, and internal balance.
• Intelligence: Covering cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, good judgment, and general knowledge.
• Nature/Environmental Concern: Reflecting reverence for nature and concern for the health of the environment.
• Spirituality: Measuring aspects like living a spiritual life, experiencing underlying unity, and seeing meaning and purpose in life.

The factor structure confirms the scale’s comprehensive approach to measuring wisdom beyond purely cognitive domains.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report psychological scale

Format: Likert-type scale, typically ranging from 1 to 5.

Language Available: English (Primary publication language).

Population Group: General population, widely applied to adolescents and young adults.

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults.

Population Details: Used in diverse samples, including community groups and high school populations, for research on developmental psychology and positive youth development.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate the extent to which they possess certain characteristics or experience specific states. Scoring uses a 5-point rating system, such as: 1 = I definitely do not have this characteristic to 5 = I definitely have this characteristic, or 1 = Definitely to 5 = Not at All (depending on item phrasing and specific version used).

Keywords

Psychometrics, Self-Report, Scale Development, Foundational Values, Adolescent Wisdom, Harmony, Flow, Intelligence, Spirituality, Compassion.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source material.

Correspondence Address: Correspondence is generally directed toward the primary author, Leonard A. Jason (DePaul University, as suggested by the associated website link).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was initially published in 2001. The instrument is available for research purposes, with the full text often included in academic publications. Specific commercial permissions or fees are not listed, but researchers can generally access the instrument for non-commercial academic use via the referenced publications and associated university websites. The instrument can be found at: http://condor.depaul.edu/ljason/grace/fvsstudy.html and https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254358638.

Reference’s

• Jason, L. A., Reichler, A., King, C., Madsen, D., Camacho, J., & Marchese, W. (2001). The measurement of wisdom: A preliminary effort. Journal of Community Psychology, 29(5), 585–598.
• Perry, C. L., Komro, K. A., Jones, R. M., Munson, K., Williams, C. L., Jason, L. (2002). Measurement of Wisdom and Its Relationship to Adolescent Substance Use and Problem Behaviors. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 12(1), 45 to 63.
• Jason, L. A., Helgerson, J.L., Torres-Harding, S., et al (2004). A scale to measure wisdom. The Humanistic Psychologist, 32(3), 284-305.
• Jason et al. (2001). Foundational Value Scale. In: Simmons C. A., Lehmann P. (eds). Tools for strengths-based assessment and evaluation, New York, NY: Springer, pp. 269-270. (2013). Google Scholar.

Items of the Foundational Value Scale (FVS)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way. The source material provided two distinct lists, both are included below.

FVS Item List (23 Items)

1. Openness (can accommodate whatever experiences that arise)
2. Animation (rapture, joy, hope, and happiness)
3. Harmony (balanced and centered within)
4. Flow (so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter)
5. Positive self-esteem and self-love
6. Gratitude and appreciation
7. Appreciation for things as they are, without embellishment
8. Compassion and warmth for others
9. Demonstrates a concern for the health of the environment
10. Feels love, fellowship, or un‎ion with god
11. Sees meaning and purpose in life
12. Experiences an underlying unity in life
13. Capacity to cope with uncertainty
14. Intelligence
15. Childlike wonder and awe
16. Good judgment
17. Humor
18. Being in the present
19. Kindness
20. Problem-solving ability
21. Reverence for nature
22. Living a spiritual life
23. Genius

FVS Item List (38 Items)

1. Openness (can accommodate to whatever experiences that arise)
2. Spontaneity (all that one does happens naturally, without effort)
3. Animation (rapture, joy, hope, and happiness)
4. Harmony (balanced and centered within)
5. Flow (so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter)
6. Uninhibited imagination and creativity
7. Freedom from greed, envy, jealousness, and hostility
8. Positive self-esteem and self love
9. Gratitude and appreciation
10. Appreciation for things as they are, without embellishment
11. Universe is perceived as friendly
12. Total attention to what is being looked at
13. Perception is desire less, unselfish, and detached
14. Compassion and warmth for others
15. All life is seen as interconnected
16. Demonstrates a concern for the health of the environment
17. Feels love, fellowship, or un‎ion with god
18. Chooses activities in which fulfillment is found
19. Sees meaning and purpose in life
20. Experiences an underlying unity in life
21. Capacity to cope with uncertainty
22. Ability to frame an event in a larger context
23. Intelligence
24. Childlike wonder and awe
25. Good judgment
26. Humor
27. Financial success
28. Being in the present
29. Kindness
30. Problem solving ability
31. Social justice orientation
32. Calm and subdued mind
33. Reverence for nature
34. Living a spiritual life
35. charisma
36. Genius
37. Good teacher (inspires and instructs)
38. Gift of prophesy

Adolescent Wisdom Subscales (Perry et al., 2002) Item Groupings:

• Harmony and Warmth Subscale: Compassion and warmth for others, Kindness, Thankful and grateful, Lively (joy, hope and happiness), Appreciate things as they are, Openness (can adapt to whatever experiences come up), Being in the present (fully living every moment in your daily life), Humor, Harmony (balanced and centered within yourself, peaceful, calm).
• Intelligence Subscale: Intelligence, Problem solving ability, Genius, Positive self-esteem, Good judgment, Focused (can become so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter), Ability to cope with uncertainty.
• Spirituality Subscale: Living a spiritual life, Experience an underlying unity in life (belief that there is a connection among all things), Feel love, fellowship, or un‎ion with God or a higher being, Care about nature, Demonstrate a concern for the health of the environment, Wonder and awe (amazement at the beauty or power of nature life/universe), See meaning and purpose in life.