You may note that values do not operate in isolation. Several values interact with each other to form value system in a society.
Types of Values
You may note that values do not
operate in isolation. Several values interact with each other to form value
system in a society. According to Rikeach, value systems are composed of
rank-ordered sets of values that fall into two general categories namely terminal values and instrumental values.
Terminal values reflect the desired end states of existence whereas instrumental values are related to the
choice of behaviour in reaching those end states. Terminal values are desired
states of existence that we try to achieve. Preferences like duty, equality and
wisdom and a compatible life are some of the terminal values. On the other
hand, instrumental values are desirable modes of behaviour that help us reach
terminal values. Being polite, courageous, logical, self controlled, ambitious
etc., are some of the instrumental values.
Values can be categorized on the
basis of the level at which they operate.
These may be:
-- Personal values which are
formed from past experience and interaction with others;
-- Cultural values which are
the dominant beliefs held collectively society;
-- Organizational values which
are at the heart of organizational culture in terms of shared assumptions,
values and beliefs; and -- Professional
values which are held by the members of an occupational group.
Values may also be classified as
the espoused values and enacted values. Espoused values represent the values that we want other to
belief we avoid by. Values are
socially desirable and so people create a positive public image by claiming to
believe in values that others expect them to hold. Contrary to this, enacted
values represent the values actually practiced. These values, in fact, guide
our decisions and behaviours. It may be recognized that values
are functions of preferences. The most important early work in categorizing
values was done by Allport and his associates. They identified six types of
values. They are: Theoretical-places
high importance on the discovery of truth through a critical and rational approach. Economic-emphasizes
the usefulness and practicability. Aesthetic-places
the highest value on form and harmony. Social-the
highest value is given to the love of people. Political-places
emphasis on acquisition of power and influence. Religious-concerned with the unity of
experience and understanding of the
cosmos as a whole. Allport and his associates developed a
questionnaire that describes a num¬ber of different situations and asked
respondents to rank fixed set of answers. Based on the respondents’ replies,
the researchers could rank individuals in terms of the importance they give to
each of the six types of values. The result is a value system for a specific
individual.
Tags : Management Concepts & Organisational Behaviour - Values And Attitudes
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