In the 20th century, there was such a famous American psychologist as Milton Rockich. He devoted almost his entire career to the study of social and personal values. Although Milton began as a psychiatrist. But he is known as the developer of a unique concept of personal value orientations. And this technique of Rokich is widely known throughout the world. Like a test based on it. However, first things first.
General Provisions
Rokich’s methodology is built around the idea that the value is a stable belief in the fundamental preference of something specific (worldview, mode of existence, purpose of life, etc.). However, the psychologist also suggests that there are not so many of them.
Milton divided all of them into two types - terminal and instrumental. The first include beliefs that the ultimate goal of each person’s existence is really worth trying to achieve.
The second type of value is called instrumental. This, in turn, is the belief that a certain personality trait or way of acting is always and in any situation remains a priority.
That is, the first type affects the goals of individual existence, and the second - the methods of their achievement and modes of action.
Specificity
Rokic’s methodology also involves the analysis of values ​​and dividing them into groups, which is logical, since all beliefs relate to certain areas of life. Accordingly, there are values ​​of personal life and professional self-realization, financial (material) and spiritual. The instrumental type mentioned above includes beliefs related to communication, ethics, business, altruism, self-affirmation, and other people.
The Rokic’s technique, as practice shows, is interesting and effective. Its advantage is versatility, efficiency and convenience. It is very easy to “examine” a person with its help, as well as process the results. And lists of values ​​(otherwise called stimulus material) can be varied, and instructions changed.
True, some highlight the disadvantages. These include social undesirability and the likelihood that a person who agrees to the test will be insincere.
How is the study conducted?
So, what is the methodology of M. Rokich - it is clear. How does the test go?
A person is offered two lists in which values ​​are indicated (instrumental and terminal). 18 in each. In what form, in principle, it does not matter. Usually they are provided on sheets of A4 in the form of a list or on cards.
When a person received the material, he is given the task of assigning a number to each value. First, he needs to deal with the terminal list, and then with the instrumental one.
Psychologists who usually conduct such tests can ask questions that bring them closer to the subject’s preference system. Often they are interested in how much the values ​​are realized in his life. They answer, usually in percent. They may also ask how a person would arrange cards 5 or 10 years ago. Or how they would be distributed by people close to him. Other, more personal questions may entail, therefore it is very important that testing be voluntary and, preferably, tête-à -tête.
List No. 1
Now you can list directly those concepts that include the methodology of “Values ​​of orientation” of Rokich. The first list is thermal. It includes the following concepts:
- Active life.
- Wisdom.
- Health.
- Exciting work.
- Art and nature.
- Love and intimacy.
- Financial wealth.
- Having loyal friends.
- Respect and recognition of other people.
- The opportunity to learn.
- Self-development.
- The ability to live productively (“to the full” to use prospects and opportunities).
- Entertainment and leisure.
- Independence and freedom.
- Happiness in personal life.
- The opportunity to be creative.
- Self-confidence.
- The happiness of other people.
So, these are 18 values ​​that the terminal list includes. On cards, usually, a broader definition of them is indicated in brackets, but you can also understand what is meant.
List number 2
But this is not all that includes the Rokic methodology. Processing of the results is carried out by the psychologist only after the person has sorted out each list. And this is what the second instrumental includes:
- Accuracy.
- Good breeding.
- The ability to enjoy life.
- High demands on people and the world.
- Diligence.
- Independence.
- Inability to accept shortcomings (both in oneself and in others).
- Intellectuality and education.
- Responsibility.
- Rationalism.
- Self control.
- Courage, courage.
- Firm will.
- Ability to be tolerant.
- Wide views, lack of a "framework".
- Honesty.
- Hard work and productivity.
- Caring, sensitive.
As you can see, the lists differ fundamentally. At least by the fact that the second list includes concepts related to personal qualities, which often play a role in the process of achieving what was listed in the first.
How to pass the test?
At the very beginning it was said that each value is assigned a serial number. The minimum is 1, and the maximum is 5. The unit indicates values ​​that have no meaning. Two - those that, in principle, can be important. Three are values ​​with a specific, concrete meaning. The four are important statements. And five is what a person puts above all else.
How to determine the result?
This is an important topic. The results by the method of Rokich are usually determined by a psychologist, since he also conducts the test. But in general terms it is worth telling how this is done.
So, the test is aimed at studying human values. To better understand the meaning of his actions or actions. The results are determined on the so-called confidence scale. It is designed to determine how much a person wants his actions to be positively evaluated by others. And the higher the result is, the more the subject corresponds to the so-called “approved” image. But the critical threshold of the generally accepted test is the mark of 42 points. If the results have stepped over, then either they are unreliable, and the person was dishonest, or a complex person is sitting in front of the psychologist.
But it’s not the scores that a person scored when setting numbers to values. The psychologist refers to the scale of confidence. If a person, for example, put a five to a statement that relates to a negative scale, then he will be assigned 1 point. What carries a negative value, he noted with a unit? Then they put him "five." The scale is very voluminous, but you can familiarize yourself with it on an individual basis.
Interpretations
So, in general, it is clear what Rokic's “Value Orientations” methodology represents. Processing the results is a matter for the psychologist, but it’s worth a little bit about interpretations. There are several of them.
There is an interpretation of Rokich’s methodology on life values. If this test option is used, then it’s possible to find out according to its results what a person considers his main goal - self-development, spiritual satisfaction, creativity, social interaction, prestige and respect, achievements and success, wealth and finances, or preservation of personal personality, uniqueness.
There is an interpretation on life spheres. The test reveals which area is most important for a person - professional, educational, family, social, entertainment or physical activity.
These are the two most common interpretations. However, it is not surprising why they are. One interpretation is aimed at clarifying the inner world of man. And the other - on his outside world and the sphere in which he is comfortable to exist. However, both are inextricably linked.
What else should you know?
The “Value Orientation” methodology receives mostly positive reviews. Even psychologists note that it is the most elaborate and reliable. Not surprisingly, after all, Milton Rokich is the founder of the concepts of values ​​in principle.
And its effectiveness has been proven. Various studies were carried out - and most of all, of course, young people participated in them: schoolchildren and students. Especially high school students. And most of them put in the first place the terminal values ​​of health and family life, friends, love, financial wealth and self-confidence. From the instrumental list, many chose cheerfulness, responsibility, good breeding, tolerance and diligence. This choice is not surprising. Moreover, it is correct and predictable. Too global for teens? Not at all. Confirmation of this is the saying of psychologist Eric Homburger Erickson. He assured that young people, in their own way, should be "acrobats." To be able with one powerful movement to lower the crossbar of your childhood, jump over it, and grab onto the next crossbar of maturity. And for the shortest period of time.
And this is just one example. In fact, Milton Rokich’s technique is really interesting, effective and productive. And if there is a desire along with the opportunity - it is worth passing such a test. Alone or with someone - whatever. At least for fun.