Personal Value Scales (PVS)

Abstract

The Personal Value Scales (PVS) were developed by W. A. Scott in 1965 as an instrument for the empirical assessment of various personal values and ideologies. This psychological scale is designed to measure an individual’s endorsement of twelve distinct value domains, providing insight into their motivational priorities and behavioral ideals. The PVS has been widely referenced in social psychology and sociology research, particularly in studies examining organizational fit, ethical behavior, and attitude formation. The instrument features both direct-scored and reverse-scored items across its dimensions to mitigate response bias.

Keywords

Personal Values, Value Assessment, W. A. Scott, Intellectualism, Kindness, Social Skills, Loyalty, Academic Achievement, Status, Honesty, Religiousness, Self-Control, Creativity, Independence, Psychometrics

Authors

W. A. Scott

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Personal Value Scales (PVS) is to provide a structured, quantifiable measure of an individual’s relative endorsement of various value constructs. Unlike scales that focus solely on terminal or instrumental values, the PVS aims to capture behavioral and ideological preferences across a broad spectrum of social and personal domains. This measurement allows researchers to compare value orientations between individuals or groups, such as those within different organizations or ideological frameworks, as demonstrated in Scott’s original work on fraternities and sororities.

The instrument is particularly useful in social science research for understanding how underlying values predict attitudes, group membership, and behavioral outcomes. By clearly delineating 12 distinct dimensions, the PVS facilitates detailed analysis of specific value conflicts or alignments within a sample population.

Construct

The PVS measures 12 distinct, primary value constructs. These constructs represent behavioral ideals or preferred states of being that an individual deems important. The 12 dimensions assessed are:

• Intellectualism: Valuing curiosity, scholarly interests, and appreciation of fine arts.
• Kindness: Valuing altruism, forgiveness, consideration, and selflessness towards others.
• Social Skills: Valuing proper behavior, charm, etiquette, and the ability to cooperate and interact effectively with others.
• Loyalty: Valuing commitment to one’s group, defending its honor, and actively participating in group affairs.
• Academic Achievement: Valuing hard work, high grades, and striving for academic excellence.
• Physical Development: Valuing physical health, coordination, strength, and an attractive physique.
• Status: Valuing respect, prestige, recognition for achievements, and the ability to influence or lead others.
• Honesty: Valuing truthfulness, integrity, and avoiding deception or cheating, even at personal cost.
• Religiousness: Valuing devout faith, regular attendance at services, adherence to religious doctrines, and spiritual communication.
• Self-Control: Valuing emotional suppression, patience, and the ability to suppress anger or hostility.
• Creativity (Originality): Valuing innovation, developing new ideas, and creating unique or artistic objects.
• Independence: Valuing non-conformity, free thinking, frank expression, and freedom from social restraints.

Validity

While specific statistical validity metrics (e.g., correlations with external criteria) are typically detailed in the original documentation (Scott, 1965) and subsequent validation studies (e.g., Robinson & Shaver, 1969; Braithwaite & Scott, 1991), the PVS exhibits strong face and content validity due to the clear operationalization of 12 conceptually distinct value domains. Construct validity is supported by the consistent factor structure found across various studies, confirming that the items reliably group into the intended 12 factors. For instance, high scores on Intellectualism are expected to correlate positively with academic engagement, providing evidence of criterion-related validity.

Reliability

The PVS is reported to have acceptable psychometric properties, particularly in terms of internal consistency for the 12 subscales. The comprehensive manual by Robinson and Shaver (1969), which details the scale’s use in social psychological research, often provides detailed reliability coefficients (such as Cronbach’s alpha) based on specific sample populations. Researchers utilizing the PVS typically report the reliability of the subscales, confirming that the items within each value domain measure a single, coherent construct.

Factor Analysis

The underlying structure of the PVS is inherently multidimensional, based on the determination of the 12 specific value factors. The source content explicitly lists these 12 factors: 1) Intellectualism, 2) Kindness, 3) Social Skills, 4) Loyalty, 5) Academic Achievement, 6) Physical Development, 7) Status (Leadership), 8) Honesty, 9) Religiousness, 10) Self-Control, 11) Creativity, and 12) Independence. Factor analysis of the PVS items typically confirms the distinctiveness of these 12 dimensions, supporting the scale’s use in differentiating between various value priorities held by respondents.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Psychological Value Scale

Format: Likert-type scale, possibly using a three-point response format (Always Admire, Depends on Situation, Always Dislike) or similar degrees of endorsement/preference.

Language Available: English (Original)

Population Group: General population; historically validated and frequently used among college students (e.g., fraternities and sororities).

Age Group: Adolescents and Adults (typically college-age and older)

Population Details: The initial development and core validation focused on student populations, particularly those involved in group organizations, allowing for the empirical assessment of values related to loyalty and group dynamics.

Test Methodology: Respondents indicate their degree of admiration or preference for various behaviors and ideals described in the scale items. Scores are calculated for the 12 subscales, differentiating between direct-scored and reverse-scored items for each dimension.

Keywords

Values and Ideologies, Personality Assessment, Psychosocial Measurement, W. A. Scott, Student Values, Group Dynamics

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A (Information not available in source content)

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A (Information not available in source content)

Correspondence Address: N/A (Information not available in source content)

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Personal Value Scales (PVS) were first published in 1965 by W. A. Scott. Information regarding current usage fees or specific permissions should be sought from the publishers of the comprehensive resources, such as Academic Press (for Braithwaite & Scott, 1991) or the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan.

The instrument is widely documented in academic literature, including the definitive compilation of measures by Robinson and Shaver (1969). The original PDF detailing the scale’s items and structure can be downloaded here (Measures of Political Attitudes): https://www.psc.isr.umich.edu/dis/infoserv/isrpub/pdf/Measuresofsocialpsychologicalattitudes_2928_.PDF. Further academic references are available here: https://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4877&context=etd.

Reference’s

• Scott‚ W. A. (1959). Empirical assessment of values and ideologies‚ American Sociological Review‚ 24‚ 299-310.
• Scott‚ W. A. (1960). International ideology and interpersonal ideology. Public Opinion Quarterly‚ 24‚ 419-435.
• Scott‚ W. A. (1965). Values and organizations: a study of fraternities and sororities. Chicago: Rand McNally.
• Robinson‚ John P.‚ Shaver‚ Phillip R. (1969). Measures of Political Attitudes. Institute for Social Research‚ University of Michigan/. Ann Arbor‚ Michigan
• Braithwaite‚ V. A.‚ & Scott‚ W. A. (1991). Measures of personality and social psychological attitudes. San Diego‚ CA: Academic Press.
• Thomas‚ Tammara Petrill. (2013). “The Effect of Personal Values‚ Organizational Values‚ and Person-Organization Fit on Ethical Behaviors and Organizational Commitment Outcomes among Substance Abuse Counselors: A Preliminary Investigation.” PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) thesis‚ University of Iowa.

Items of the Personal Value Scales (PVS)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Intellectualism

Direct-scored items

• ha‎ving a keen interest in international‚ national ‚ and local affairs. *
• ha‎ving a strong intellectual curiosity.*
• Developing an appreciation of the fine arts-‎-music‚ drama‚ literature‚ and ballet. *
• ha‎ving an active interest in all things scholarly.*
• ha‎ving cultural interests.
• Striving to gain new knowledge about the world.
• Enjoying books‚ music‚ art‚ philosophy‚ and sciences.
• Keeping abreast of current events.
• Knowing what’s going on in the world of politics.
• Keeping up with world news through regular reading or by watching in formative programs.
• Being an intellectual. +

Reverse-scored items

• ha‎ving restricted and narrow interests.
• ha‎ving no knowledge of current events.
• Being interested only in one’s work.
• ha‎ving no opinions about the world situation.
• Knowing only one’s specialty.
• ha‎ving little interest in arts‚ theater‚ music‚ and other cultural activities.
• Being uninterested in national and world affairs .
• Showing little interest in the finer things of life.
• Ignoring what goes on in the world around one.
• Reading only things that don’t pose any intellectual challenge.

Kindness

Direct-scored items

• Being kind to people‚ even if they do things contrary to one’s beliefs.*
• Helping another person feel more secure‚ even if one doesn’t like him.*
• Helping another achieve his own goals‚ even if it might interfere with your own.*
• Turning the other cheek‚ and forgiving others when they harm you. *
• Being considerate of others’ feelings.
• Finding ways to help others less fortunate than oneself.
• Being utterly selfless in all one’s actions.
• ha‎ving a deep love of all people‚ whoever they are.
• Going out of one’s way to help someone new feel at home.
• Being concerned about the happiness of other people.

Reverse-scored items

• Looking out for one’s own interests first.
• Ridiculing other people.
• Being selfish.
• Ignoring the needs of other people.
• Revenging wrongs that other people have done to one.
• Being unable to empathize with other people.
• Hurting other people’s feelings.
• Making jokes at the expense of other people.
• Letting each person go it alone‚ without offering help.
• Refusing any aid to people who don’t deserve it.

Social Skills

Direct-scored items

• Being well mannered and beha‎ving properly in social situation s. *
• Dressing and acting in a way that is appropriate to the occasion. *
• Being able to get people to cooperate with one. *
• Being poised‚ gracious‚ and ch‎arming under all circumstances *.
• Always doing the right thing at the right time.
• Being informed in proper etiquette.
• Being able to plan social functions smoothly.
• Being popular with everyone.
• Always beha‎ving properly in public.
• Being concerned about what kind of impression one makes on others.
• (Being able to get along with all kinds of people‚ whether or not they are worthwhile.) +
• (Being the person i n the group who i s the most popular with the opposite sex.) +

Reverse-scored items

• Being a social isolate.
• Dressing sloppily.
• Displaying unpleasant personal habits in public .
• Interrupting others while they are talking.
• Constantly making social blunders.
• Talking constantly and attracting attention to oneself.
• ha‎ving bad manners.
• Being discourteous.
• Being unable to act in a way that will please others.
• Being ignorant of the rules of proper behavior.

Loyalty

Direct-scored items

• Defending the honor of one’s group whenever it is unfairly criticized .*
• Working hard to improve the prestige and status of one’s groups.*
• Helping organize group activities . *
• Attending all meetings of one’s groups.
• Upholding the honor of one’s group.
• Supporting all activities of one’s organizations.
• Doing more than one’s share of the group task.
• Performing unpleasant tasks‚ if these are required by one’s group.
• Remembering one’s group loyalties at all times.
• Taking an active part in all group affairs.
• (Treating an attack on one’s group like an attack on oneself.)
• (Concealing from outsiders most of one’s dislike s and disagreements with fellow members of the group.)
• (Doing all one can to build up the prestige of the group.)

Reverse-scored items

• Betraying one’s group to outsiders.
• Letting other people do all the work for the group‚ and not getting involved oneself.
• Letting people get away with unfair criticism of one’s group.
• Being unconcerned with what other people think about one’s group.
• Being uncooperative.
• Failing to support group functions.
• Paying little attention to what the members of one’s group think.
• Criticizing one’s own group in public.
• Getting by with as little involvement in organizations as possible.
• Not taking one’s group memberships seriously.

Academic Achievement (Grades)

Direct-scored items

• Studying hard to get good grades in school. *
• Working hard to achieve academic honors.*
• Trying hard to understand difficult lectures and textbooks.
• Striving to get the top grade-point average in the group. *
• Studying constantly in order to become a well educated person.*
• Being studious.
• Getting the top grade on a test.
• Treating one’s studies as the most important thing in college life .
• Doing well in school.
• Priding oneself on good grades.

Reverse-scored items

• Being content with a “gentlemanly C” grade.
• Making fun of academic grinds.
• Being satisfied with poor grades.
• Priding oneself on being able to get by in school with little work.
• Not doing well in one’s coursework.
• Not Letting studies interfere with one’s college life.
• Doing one’s best to avoid working hard in a course.
• Being proud of poor grades.
• Paying no attention to lectures and textbooks that are difficult.
• Taking snap courses that don’t require any work.

Physical Development

Direct-scored items

• Being graceful and well coordinated in physical movements.*
• Taking good care of one’s physical self‚ so that one is always healthy. *
• Being good in some form of sport. *
• Developing physical strength and agility.
• Developing an attractive body that others will admire.
• ha‎ving a good figure or physique.
• ha‎ving good muscular coordination.
• Being a well developed outdoors type who enjoys physical activity.
• Keeping in good physical shape.
• Exercising regularly.

Reverse-scored items

• Being physically weak and puny.
• Being an indoor type‚ and avoiding outdoor activities .
• Being poorly proportioned physically.
• Being uninterested in sports.
• Being listless and uninterested in strenuous activity.
• Being awkward in bearing and walk.
• Being unable to do anything that requires physical effort.
• Being unskilled in any form of athletics.
• Ignoring one’s own physical condition.
• Avoiding any form of exercise.

Status

Direct-scored items

• Being respected by people who are themselves worthwhile. *
• Gaining recognition for one’s achievements.*
• Being in a position to direct and mold others’ lives.*
• Making sure that one is respected.
• Doing what one is told.
• Being in a position to command respect from others.
• ha‎ving all the respect that one is entitled to.
• Being dignified in bearing and manner.
• Being looked up to by others.
• Enjoying great prestige in the community.
• (ha‎ving the ability to lead others.)
• (Showing great leadership qualities.)

Reverse-scored items

• Acting beneath one’s dignity.
• Not being able to do anything better than other people.
• Not being recognized for one’s true worth.
• Being in a subordinate position.
• ha‎ving little effect on other people’s actions.
• Being unable to exert any influence on things around one.
• Failing to develop contacts that could improve one’s position .
• Being content with an inferior position all one’s life.
• Associating with worthless people.
• Not taking pride in one’s achievements.

Honesty

Direct-scored items

• Never cheating or ha‎ving anything to do with cheating situation s‚ even for a friend. *
• Always telling the truth‚ even though it may hurt oneself or others.*
• Never telling a lie‚ even though to do so would make the situation more comfortable.
• Sticking up for the truth under all circumstances.
• Always representing one’s own true thoughts and feelings honestly.
• Speaking one’s mind truth fully‚ without regard for the consequences.
• Testifying against friends‚ if need be‚ in order that the truth be known.
• Presenting oneself completely and honestly‚ even if it is unnecessary to do so.
• Going out of one’s way to bring dishonest people to justice.
• Volunteering information concerning wrongdoing‚ even if friend s are involved.

Reverse-scored items

• Helping a close friend get by a t i g h t situation ‚ even though one may have to stretch the truth a bit to do it.
• Taking things that don’t belong to one.
• Telling white lies.
• Deceiving others.
• Using others’ property without asking permission.
• Telling falsehoods in order to help other people.
• Helping a friend through an examination.
• Using a false ID card to get in to restricted places.
• Stealing when necessary.
• Being dishonest in harmless ways.

Religiousness

Direct-scored items

• Being devout in one’s religious faith.*
• Always living one’s religion in his daily life.*
• Always attending religious services regularly and faith fully. *
• Avoiding the physical pleasures that are prohibited in the Bible. *
• Encouraging others to attend services and lead religious lives. *
• Saying one’s prayers regularly.
• Seeking comfort in the Bible in time of need.
• Adhering to the doctrines of one’s religion.
• ha‎ving an inner communication with the Supreme Being.
• ha‎ving faith in a Being greater than man.

Reverse-scored items

• Being an atheist.
• Denying the existence of God.
• Paying little attention to religious matters.
• Treating man‚ rather than God‚ as the measure of all things.
• Abstaining from trivial religious rituals.
• Not falling for religious mythology.
• Taking a skeptical attitude toward religious teachings.
• Seeking scientific explanations of religious miracles.
• Treating the Bible only as an historical or literary work.
• Regarding religions as crutches for the primitive peoples of the world.

Self – control

Direct-scored items

• Practicing self-control. *
• Replying to anger with gentleness.*
• Never losing one’s temper‚ no matter what the reason.*
• Not expressing anger‚ even when one has a reason for doing so.*
• Suppressing hostility.
• Keeping one’s feelings hidden from others.
• Suppressing the urge to speak hastily in anger.
• Hiding one’s feelings of frustration from other people.
• Keeping one’s hostile feelings to himself.
• Not getting upset when things go wrong.
• (Always being patient with people.)

Reverse-scored items

• Losing one’s temper easily.
• Showing one’s feelings readily.
• Telling people off when they offend one.
• Expressing one’s anger openly and directly when provoked.
• Getting upset when things don’t go well.
• Letting others see how one really feels.
• Letting off steam when one is frustrated.
• Swearing when one is angry.
• Becoming so angry that other people know about it.
• Letting people know when one is annoyed with them.

Creativity (Originality)

Direct-scored items

• Being able to cr‎eate beautiful and artistic objects.*
• Developing new and different ways of doing things.*
• Constantly developing new ways of approaching life.*
• Inventing gadgets for the fun of it.
• Trying out new ideas.
• Being original in one’s thoughts and ways of looking at things.
• Always looking for new roads to travel.
• Doing unusual things.
• Creating unusual works of art.
• Being an innovator.
• (Creating beautiful things for the enjoyment of other people.)
• (Devoting one’s entire energy to the development of new theories.)

Reverse-scored items

• Doing routine things all the time.
• Not ha‎ving any new ideas.
• Always doing things in the same way.
• Enjoying a routine‚ patterned life.
• Doing things the same way that other people do them.
• Abiding by traditional ways of doing things.
• Repeating the ideas of others‚ without any innovation.
• Working according to a set schedule that doesn’t vary from day to day.
• Painting or composing or writing in a traditional style.
• Keeping one’s life from changing very much.

Independence

Direct-scored items

• Being a free thinking person‚ who doesn’t care what others think of his opinions.
• Being outspoken and frank in expressing one’s like s and dislikes.*
• Being independent.
• Standing up for what one thinks right‚ regardless of what others think.
• Going one’s own way as he pleases.
• Being a non-conformist.
• Being different from other people.
• Encouraging other people to act as they please.
• Thinking and acting freely ‚ without social restraints. *
• Living one’s own life‚ independent of others.
• (Being independent‚ original‚ non-conformist‚ different from other people.)

Reverse-scored items

• Conforming to the requirements of any situation and doing what is expected of one.*
• Going along with the crowd.
• Acting in such a way as to gain the approval of others.
• Keeping one’s opinions to himself when they differ from the group’s.
• Being careful not to express an idea that might be contrary to what other people believe.
• Always basing one’s behavior on the recognition that he is dependent on other people.
• Acting so as to fit in with other people’s way of doing things.
• Always checking on whether or not one’s intended actions would be acceptable to other people.
• Never acting so as to violate social conventions.
• Suppressing one’s desire to be unique and different.
• (Working and living in harmony with other people.)

* items in short version

+ Items included in the in short version but not the long version