Mode Values Inventory

Abstract

The Mode values inventory (MVI), developed by Braithwaite and Law in 1985, is a psychological scale designed to measure instrumental values, defined as desirable modes of conduct. The development of the MVI stemmed from research intended to assess and improve the factor structure adequacy of the existing Rokeach Value Survey (RVS). The inventory comprises 51 items that cluster into several empirically derived factors, such as Positive Orientation to Others and Competence and Effectiveness. Respondents rate the importance of each value on a 7-point Likert scale, allowing researchers to quantify an individual’s priority given to various modes of behavior.

Keywords

Mode values, Instrumental values, Braithwaite and Law, Rokeach Value Survey, Value structure, Psychological assessment, Modes of conduct, Social psychology.

Authors

Braithwaite, V. A., Law, H. G.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Mode Values Inventory (MVI) is the systematic and structured measurement of instrumental values—the preferred modes of behavior and conduct that individuals endorse. The scale was constructed to provide a more conceptually clear and empirically validated measure of these values compared to earlier instruments. By identifying distinct factors underlying instrumental values, the MVI facilitates detailed analysis of how different behavioral modes contribute to an individual’s overall value system and subsequent behavior.

The instrument’s original application was centered on testing the structural adequacy of prevailing value theories, particularly those related to the RVS. It seeks to establish whether specific modes of conduct cluster into coherent, meaningful dimensions, thus allowing for a more accurate assessment of individual differences in value priorities.

Construct

The core construct measured by the MVI is Instrumental Values. These values are beliefs concerning desirable end states (Terminal Values) or, in the case of instrumental values, desirable modes of conduct (e.g., being honest, helpful, or competent). The MVI assesses the degree of importance an individual assigns to 51 specific modes of behavior that guide daily actions and judgments. The inventory aims to capture a comprehensive range of these modes, from interpersonal characteristics like helpfulness and tolerance to personal characteristics such as competence and self-discipline.

Validity

The validity of the Mode Values Inventory is primarily supported by its strong empirical factor structure, which successfully organizes the 51 items into conceptually meaningful subscales. This robust organization suggests good construct validity, demonstrating that the scale effectively differentiates between distinct domains of instrumental values (e.g., separating values related to interpersonal warmth from values related to task competence). The development process, which involved testing and refining the value dimensions originally proposed by the Rokeach Value Survey, provides further evidence for its theoretical grounding and structural integrity.

Reliability

The reliability of the MVI is demonstrated through internal consistency measures, specifically Cronbach’s Alpha, calculated for the major subscales identified through Factor Analysis. The majority of the primary factors exhibit high levels of internal consistency, indicating that the items within each subscale reliably measure the same underlying dimension. The reliability coefficients reported in the original research are:

• A positive Orientation to others: alpha 0.89
• Competence and Effectiveness: alpha 0.89
• Propriety in Dress and Manners: alpha 0.83
• Religious Commitment: alpha 0.68
• Assertiveness: alpha 0.67
• Getting Ahead: alpha 0.59

While some factors composed of fewer items (e.g., Getting Ahead, Assertiveness) exhibit lower, yet generally acceptable, reliability scores, the two largest and most central factors demonstrate excellent internal consistency.

Factor Analysis

The application of Factor Analysis to the 51 items resulted in the identification of a multi-factor structure for instrumental values. This structure provides a clearer conceptual map of how various modes of conduct are related. The factors identified by Braithwaite and Law (1985) are:

• A positive Orientation to others: Focuses on interpersonal harmony, empathy, and social cooperation.
• Competence and Effectiveness: Relates to achieving goals efficiently, being knowledgeable, and demonstrating resourcefulness.
• Propriety in Dress and Manners: Concerns adherence to social norms, politeness, and personal presentation.
• Religious Commitment: Reflects dedication to faith and adherence to idealistic or self-sacrificing principles.
• Assertiveness: Involves confidently stating opinions and defending personal beliefs.
• Withdrawal From Others: Characterized by independence and contentment with solitude.
• Carefreeness: Involves spontaneity, acting on impulse, and caution (though caution may load negatively).
• Honesty: Measures openness and truthfulness.
• Thriftiness: Focuses on careful spending and taking advantage of opportunities.
• Getting Ahead: Reflects ambition and competitiveness.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report psychological scale designed for assessing values.

Format: 51 items rated on a 7-point importance scale.

Language Available: English (Original version).

Population Group: General population, typically used with adults and older adolescents in social and organizational psychology research.

Age Group: Adult.

Population Details: The scale is administered by asking respondents to rate the importance of each mode of conduct based on the following scale:

1= I reject this, 2= I am inclined to reject this, 3= I neither reject nor accept this, 4= I am inclined to accept this, 5= I accept this as important, 6= I accept this as very important, 7= I accept this as of the greatest importance

Test Methodology: Quantitative assessment using a Likert-type scale to measure subjective importance ratings.

Keywords

MVI, Reliability, Cronbach’s Alpha, Self-report, Modes of behavior, Value measurement, Factor structure.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Not provided in source material)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A (Not provided in source material)

Correspondence Address: N/A (Not provided in source material)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 1985

Permissions & Fee: The instrument is generally considered an academic tool, freely available for research purposes, subject to standard academic citation protocols. No specific fee information is provided.

Reference’s

The core instrument and its psychometric properties were introduced in:

Braithwaite, V. A., & Law, H. G. (1985). Structure of human values: Testing the adequacy of the Rokeach Value Survey. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49, 250-263.

The instrument has also been utilized in subsequent academic research, such as:

Gore, Truman Joseph. (2014). Goal Orientations and Self-Efficacy Interactions on Self-Set Goal Level. Wright State University, Master of Science Thesis.

The instrument can be found at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232599525

The original PDF for the 2014 thesis utilizing the scale can be downloaded here: https://etd.ohiolink.edu/!etd.send_file?accession=wright1401715350&disposition=inline

Items of the Mode values inventory

Mode Values

A positive Orientation to others (alpha 0.89)

• 1. Helpful (always ready to assist others)
• 2. Tolerant (accepting others even though they may be different from you)
• 3. Forgiving (willing to pardon others)
• 4. Giving others a fair go (giving others a chance)
• 5. Tactful (being able to deal with touchy situations without offending others)
• 6. Considerate (being thoughtful of other people’s feelings)
• 7. Cooperative (being able to work in harmony with others)
• 8. Loving (showing genuine affection)
• 9. Trusting (ha‎ving faith in others)
• 10. Grateful (being appreciative)
• 11. Understanding (able to share another’s feelings0
• 12. Friendly (being neighborly)
• 13. Generous (sharing what you have with others)

Competence and Effectiveness (alpha 0.89)

• 14. Bright (being quick thinking)
• 15. Adaptable (adjusting to change easily)
• 16. Competent (being capable)
• 17. Resourceful (being clever at finding ways to achieve a goal)
• 18. Self-disciplined (being self-controlled)
• 19. Efficient (always using the best method to get the best results)
• 20. Realistic (seeing each situation as it really is)
• 21. Knowledgeable (being well informed)
• 22. Persevering (not giving up in spite of difficulties)
• 23. Progressive (being prepared to accept and support new things)
• 24. Conscientious (being hardworking)
• 25. Logical (being rational)
• 26. Showing foresight (thinking and see ahead)

Propriety in Dress and Manners (alpha 0.83)

• 27. Polite (being well mannered)
• 28. Patriotic (being loyal to your country)
• 29. Prompt (being on time)
• 30. Refined (never being coarse or vulgar)
• 31. Clean (not ha‎ving dirty habits)
• 32. Neat (being tidy)
• 33. Reliable (being dependable)

Religious Commitment (alpha 0.68)

• 34. Committed (being dedicated to cause)
• 35. Devout (following your religious faith conscientiously)
• 36. Self-sacrificing (putting the interest of others before own)
• 37. Idealistic (living according to how things should be rather than how things are)

Assertiveness (alpha 0.67)

• 38. Standing up for your beliefs (defending your beliefs no matter who opposes them)
• 39. ha‎ving your say (confidently stating your opinions)
• 40. Determined (standing by your decisions firmly)

Withdrawal From Others

• 41. Keeping to yourself (being content with your own company)
• 42. Independent (doing things on your own)

Carefreeness

• 43. Acting on impulse (doing things on the spur of the moment)
• 44. Spontaneous (doing what comes naturally)
• 45. Cautious (not rushing into things)

Honesty

• 46. Open (not hiding anything from anyone)
• 47. Honest (never cheating or lying)

Thriftiness

• 48. Thrifty (being careful in spending money)
• 49. Never missing a chance: taking advantage of every opportunity that comes your way)

Getting Ahead (alpha 0.59)

• 50. Ambitious (being eager to do well)
• 51. Competitive (always trying to do better than others)