Liberalism-Conservatism in Samples of Social Work Students and Professionals

Social work master's students (n = 152) and employed M.S.W.'s (N = 111) ranked the two sets of eighteen values of the Rokeach Value Survey (RVS). Comparisons with the rankings of subgroups of Rokeach's national probapility sample and the rankings of a random sample of Colorado NASW members support assumptions that (1) social work respondents are more liberal than the general American population and age and social class peers, and (2) Pittsburgh-area social work students and professionals possess a value system most similar to other social work respondents. The study's central prediction is confirmed by the finding of a higher Value Conservatism (VC) score for 1979-80 respondents than comparable 1975 respondets (P < 001). Sampling and statistical precautions are taken to preclude the influence of likely extraneous factors such as age, gender, and specifialization. A speculative interpretation of overall value system differences is offered, and policy questions of potential importance are listed.