Intra-Individual Value Change in Adulthood

Abstract

Abstract. Values guide people in their lives as overarching principles of judgments and decision making. Focusing on Schwartz’s circumplex value model, the present work is the first systematic literature review (SLR) to comparatively synthesize the empirical evidence regarding stability and change of values in adulthood. Besides understanding the extent of value change, the aim of this review is to reveal the conditions under which values change. The search procedure and screening revealed 19 publications reporting empirical studies on 25 adult samples containing at least two measurements of Schwartz’s values in respondents. Results suggest moderate to high rank-order stabilities of values, even through potentially life-changing transitions. There is evidence of small changes, rarely consistent with theoretical predictions or cross-sectional findings. Preliminary experimental evidence shows that values can be changed with interventions. We identify considerable gaps in knowledge about value change and propose promising avenues for further research.

Changes in Personal Values in Pandemic Times

“…Values are usually found to be largely stable (Schuster et al, 2019), and this pattern was evident in our study as well. The rank order stability of values was quite high throughout the study (see OSM Table S2C).…”

“…Values are usually quite stable (reviewed in Schuster et al, 2019) over time. However, in the face of threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we found that people's values changed in a direction that implies adjustment to the new life situation, in line with values theory and evolutionary predictions.…”

“…A potentially even more wide-ranging effect of this pandemic is how it may shape human motivation and behavior at a large scale. We demonstrate how human values, as core motivational constructs that tend toward stability (see Schuster et al, 2019), have nevertheless changed from before to after the onset and during this major global event. The current research is the first robust and large longitudinal study examining how a major global event is accompanied by a change in core individual characteristics, namely personal values.…”

“…Values tend to stay relatively stable (Schuster et al, 2019), even during significant life transitions such as starting university life or occupational change (Bardi et al, 2014). However, they were found to adapt following life events affecting multiple life domains, such as migration (Bardi et al, 2014;Lönnqvist et al, 2013).…”

Are value–behavior relations stronger than previously thought? It depends on value importance

“…been found to be relatively stable, with research showing little change throughout adulthood (Schuster et al, 2019). Moreover, values are thought to transcend specific situations and contexts (Schwartz, 1992).…”