Values Clarification

Abstract

The Values Clarification methodology, primarily developed by Sidney B. Simon and colleagues, is an educational and therapeutic approach designed to help individuals identify, prioritize, and articulate their personal and professional values. This instrument is presented not as a traditional psychometric scale but as a structured set of exercises intended to promote self-awareness and reflective decision-making consistent with the principles of humanistic psychology.

The instrument is divided into two main components: Exercise I, which requires participants to rank 21 core life values in forced-choice groupings; and Exercise II, which functions as a 45-item Work Values Inventory. The scoring keys allow participants to calculate their relative importance scores across various domains, providing immediate feedback on their current hierarchy of values.

Keywords

Values Clarification, Work Values Inventory, Sidney B. Simon, Self-Awareness, Values Assessment, Counseling, Educational Values, Personal Priorities, Career Guidance, Value Hierarchy.

Authors

Sidney B. Simon, Leland W. Howe, Howard Kirschenbaum

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Purpose

The primary purpose of the Values Clarification methodology is pedagogical and therapeutic. It aims to move individuals beyond merely accepting inherited or societal norms, prompting them instead to consciously choose, prize, and act upon their own deeply held values. This process of clarification is intended to lead to more consistent behavior, greater life satisfaction, and improved decision-making.

Exercise I serves to highlight conflicts and priorities among fundamental life values such as Honesty, Security, and Ambition, requiring the user to quantify their preferences through forced ranking. Exercise II specifically focuses on the professional realm, helping users articulate their ideal occupational environment by rating the importance of factors like Independence, Economic Return, and Intellectual Stimulation in a work setting.

Construct

The central construct measured and explored is the individual’s hierarchy of intrinsic and instrumental values. The scale assumes that an individual possesses a unique, often implicit, system of values that dictates motivation and choice. By making these values explicit, the instrument allows the user to analyze discrepancies between professed beliefs and actual behavior.

The two exercises collectively map both personal values (e.g., Emotional Health, Love, Equality) and work values (e.g., Achievement, Management, Altruism). This comprehensive approach ensures that the clarification process addresses both the personal identity and the professional orientation of the participant.

Validity

The Values Clarification instrument is typically categorized as a structured self-assessment tool used in educational and counseling contexts, rather than a formal psychological test requiring extensive psychometric validation. Therefore, traditional statistical evidence for construct or criterion validity is usually not provided in its primary documentation.

However, the content validity is generally considered high for its intended educational purpose, as the items and value groupings are comprehensive and representative of widely accepted personal and occupational domains. The effectiveness of the tool is often evaluated based on its utility in stimulating self-reflection and facilitating therapeutic insight, aligning with the experiential goals of the humanistic approach.

Reliability

Given that the Values Clarification exercises are designed to measure current, often shifting, priorities and to actively encourage change in value perception, conventional measures of reliability (such as test-retest reliability) are not typically emphasized or reported. The instrument aims to capture a snapshot of the individual’s value system at a specific point in the clarification process.

The internal consistency of the item groupings (e.g., the five items that contribute to the Aesthetics score in Exercise I) relies on the theoretical coherence established by the authors, rather than statistical proof of homogeneity.

Factor Analysis

No formal factor analysis results are provided or commonly published for this specific version of the Values Clarification exercises. The scoring structure is based on the theoretical clustering of values, as defined by the authors in the 1972 handbook. The 21 personal values in Exercise I and the 15 work value categories in Exercise II reflect distinct conceptual domains (e.g., Security, Leadership, Creativity) that are presumed to operate independently.

Instrument

Test Type: Educational/Counseling Tool; Self-Assessment Inventory

Format: Paper-and-pencil inventory employing a combination of forced-choice ranking (Exercise I) and a 5-point Likert-type scale (Exercise II).

Language Available: English (Original Publication Language)

Population Group: General Population; Educational and Professional Settings

Age Group: Adolescent to Adult

Population Details: Used widely in educational settings (for students) and career counseling or organizational development (for adults) to facilitate personal growth and career choice.

Test Methodology: Self-administered, designed to be followed by discussion, reflection, and journaling based on the revealed value priorities. The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://partnersinperformance.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Values-Clarification-by-Sydney-Simon.pdf

Keywords

Ambition, Security, Creativity, Leadership, Self-Sufficiency, Work Values, Career Counseling, Psychology, Values Education, Humanistic Psychology.

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Authors

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

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

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

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The original methodology and exercises were published in 1972. Permissions for use may vary depending on the specific edition or adaptation being utilized. Given that the exercises are widely reproduced for non-commercial educational purposes, specific fees for standard classroom use are often waived, though commercial use requires licensing from the copyright holder.

Reference’s

• Simon, Sidney B., Howe, Leland W., Kirschenbaum, Howard. (1972). Values Clarification: a handbook of practical strategies for teachers and students. New York: Hart Pub. Co.

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Items of the Values Clarification

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

Exercise I- Part A

In front of each value place a number from 1 (the one you value most in the grouping) to 5 (the one you value least).

1. (___ Ambition‚ ___ Broadmindedness‚ ___ Competence‚ ___ Popularity‚___ Helpfulness)
2. (___ Broadmindedness‚___ Creativity‚ ___ Self-Sufficiency‚ ___ Physical Health‚ ___ Aesthetics)
3. (___ Creativity‚ ___ Security‚ ___ Popularity‚ ___ Appearance‚ ___ Love)
4. (___ Security‚ ___ Success‚ ___ Leadership‚ ___ Ambition‚ ___ Physical Health)
5. (___ Success‚ ___ Honesty‚ ___ Appearance‚ ___ Knowledge‚ ___ Broadmindedness)
6. (___ Honesty‚ ___ Competence‚ ___ Creativity‚ ___ Leadership‚ ___ Leisure)
7. ( ___ Competence‚ ___ Self-Sufficiency‚ ___ Knowledge‚ ___ Emotional Health‚ ___ Security)
8. (___ Self-Sufficiency‚ ___ Popularity‚ ___ Leisure‚ ___ Spirituality/Faith‚ ___ Success)
9. (___ Popularity‚ ___ Physical Health‚ ___ Emotional Health‚ ___ Equality‚ ___ Honesty)
10. (__ Physical Health‚ ___ Appearance‚ ___ Spirituality/Faith‚ ___ Ethics‚ ___ Competence)
11. (__ Appearance‚ ___ Leadership‚ ___ Helpfulness‚ ___ Self-Sufficiency‚ ___ Equality)
12. (__ Leadership‚ ___ Knowledge‚ ___ Ethics‚ ___ Aesthetics‚ ___ Popularity)
13. (__ Knowledge‚ ___ Leisure‚ ___ Physical Health‚ ___ Helpfulness‚ ___ Love)
14. (__ Leisure‚ ___ Emotional Health‚ ___ Aesthetics‚ ___ Ambition‚ ___ Appearance)
15. (__ Emotional Health‚ ___ Spirituality/Faith‚ ___ Love‚ ___ Broadmindedness‚ ___ Leadership)
16. (__ Spirituality/Faith‚ ___ Equality‚ ___ Ambition‚ ___ Creativity‚ ___ Knowledge)
17. (__ Equality‚ ___ Ethics‚ ___ Broadmindedness‚ ___ Security‚ ___ Leisure)
18. (__ Ethics‚ ___ Helpfulness‚ ___ Success‚ ___ Emotional Health‚ ___ Creativity)
19. (__ Helpfulness‚ ___ Aesthetics‚ ___ Security‚ ___ Honesty‚ ___ Spirituality/Faith)
20. (__ Aesthetics‚ ___ Love‚ ___ Equality‚ ___ Success‚ ___ Competence)
21. (__ Love‚ ___ Ambition‚ ___ Honesty‚ ___ Self-Sufficiency‚ ___ Ethics)

Exercise I- Part B

Definition of Values used in 21 Lists

• Aesthetics Appreciation and enjoyment of beauty for beauty’s sake

• Ambition Strong desire for achievement

• Appearance Concern for the attractiveness of one’s own person

• Broadmindedness Open-minded‚ tolerant

• Competence Capable‚ effective

• Creativity Imaginative

• Emotional Health Peace of mind‚ freedom form overwhelming anxiety

• Equality Equal opportunity for all

• Ethics ha‎ving principles of conduct

• Helpfulness Working for or devotion to others

• Honesty Truthful‚ sincere

• Knowledge Seeking of truth‚ information

• Leadership Influence over others

• Leisure Time for enjoyment‚ gratification

• Love Devotion‚ companionship‚ warm attachment to another

• Physical Health Freedom from physical disease or pain

• Popularity Being liked‚ approved and accepted by many

• Spirituality/Faith Belief in and activity held on behalf of a Higher Power

• Security Freedom from concern for material resources

• Self-Sufficiency Self-reliant‚ independent

• Success Accomplishment brought about by effort and determination

Exercise II – Part A

Values Clarification – Work Values Inventory

5= “Very Important”‚ 4= “Important”‚ 3= “Moderately Important”‚ 2= “Of Little Importance” 1= “Unimportant”

“I value work in which I…”

1. have to keep solving new problems
2. help others
3. can get a raise
4. look forward to changes in my job
5. have freedom in my own area
6. gain prestige in my field
7. need to have artistic ability
8. am one of the gang
9. know my job will last
10. can be the kind of person I would like to be
11. have a boss who gives me a square deal
12. like the setting in which my job is done
13. get the feeling of ha‎ving done a good day’s work
14. have authority over others
15. can apply new ideas
16. cr‎eate alternative solutions
17. am rewarded for what I produce
18. have a boss who is reasonable
19. am sure of always ha‎ving a job
20. add beauty to the world
21. make my own decisions
22. have pay that keeps up with the cost of living
23. am mentally challenged
24. use leadership abilities
25. have adequate lounge‚ toilet and other facilities
26. have a way of life‚ while not on the job‚ that I like
27. form friendships with my fellow employees
28. know that others consider my work important
29. do not do the same thing all the time
30. feel I have helped another person
31. add to the well-being of other people
32. do many different things
33. am looked up to by others
34. have good contacts with fellow workers
35. lead the kind of life I most enjoy
36. have a good place in which to work (quiet‚ clean‚ enough space)
37. plan and organize the work of others
38. need to be mentally alert
39. am paid based on equity
40. make up my own schedule
41. make attractive products/services
42. am assured of another job in the company if mine ends
43. have a supervisor who is considerate
44. see the results of my efforts
45. contribute new ideas

Exercise I – Scoring the 21 Lists

• Aesthetics (2‚12‚14‚19‚20; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Ambition (1‚4‚14‚16‚21; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Appearance (3‚5‚10‚11‚14; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Broadmindedness (1‚2‚5‚15‚17; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Competence (1‚6‚7‚10‚20; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Creativity (2‚3‚6‚16‚18; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Emotional Health (7‚9‚14‚15‚18; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Equality (9‚11‚16‚17‚29; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Ethics (10‚12‚17‚18‚21; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Helpfulness (1‚11‚13‚18‚19; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Honesty (5‚6‚9‚19‚21; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Knowledge (5‚7‚12‚13‚16; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Leadership (4‚6‚11‚12‚15; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Leisure (6‚8‚13‚14‚17; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Love (3‚13‚15‚20‚21; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Physical Health (2‚4‚9‚10‚13; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Popularity (1‚3‚8‚9‚12; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Spirituality/Faith (8‚10‚15‚16‚19; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Security (3‚4‚7‚17‚19; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Self-Sufficiency (2‚7‚8‚11‚21; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

• Success (4‚5‚8‚18‚20; Total of Your Value Ratings …..)

Exercise II – Part B

Scoring Work Values Inventory

• Creativity (15‚ 16‚ 45; Your score ….)

• Management (14‚ 24‚ 37; Your score ….)

• Achievement (13‚ 17‚ 44; Your score ….)

• Surroundings (12‚ 25‚ 36; Your score ….)

• Supervisory Relations (11‚ 18‚ 43; Your score ….)

• Way of Life (10‚ 26‚ 35; Your score ….)

• Security (9‚ 19‚ 42; Your score ….)

• Associates (8‚ 27‚ 34; Your score ….)

• Esthetics (7‚ 20‚ 41; Your score ….)

• Prestige (6‚ 28‚ 33; Your score ….)

• Independence (5‚ 21‚ 40; Your score ….)

• Variety (4‚ 29‚ 32; Your score ….)

• Economic Return (3‚ 22‚ 39; Your score ….)

• Altruism (2‚ 30‚ 31; Your score ….)

• Intellectual Stimulation (1‚ 23‚ 38; Your score ….)