Structure of human values: Testing the adequacy of the Rokeach Value Survey.

Rokeach's (1973)Value Survey has received widespread use in the past decade, but little attempt has been made to examine the extent to which the 36 items provide comprehensive and representative coverage of the value domain. Our data provide qualified support for the comprehensiveness of the instrument. The major weaknesses in sampling involve the facets of physical well-being and individual rights. Other areas not represented are thriftiness and carefreeness. The need for multi-item indexes for value constructs are discussed, as are the advantages of a rating procedure over a ranking procedure from both psychometric and empirically valid perspectives. An alternative instrument based on the work of Rokeach is proposed.