Measurement of Human Values: an Appraisal of the Work of Milton Rokeach

Summary It is argued that methods currently available for studying values within a socio‐psychological framework are inadequate and that, if, for example, the interrelationships between values and education are to be systematically explored, then it is essential that approaches be devised which reflect more accurately the nature of human valuing. Some of the problems associated with present methods are illustrated by examining in detail one of the latest and, in some ways, most impressive to become available‐‐the Rokeach Survey of Values. It is suggested that, in spite of its simplicity and ready appeal, it suffers from important weaknesses (notably its inadequate conception of human values) which are liable to seriously distort the information which it appears to give. Some of the requirements for an adequate questionnaire method of studying values are outlined, but the importance of obtaining corroborative evidence from idiographic and field approaches is also stressed. The paper illustrates the kind of basic thinking required before values are studied or measured.