Anna K. Döring

Assessing Values at an Early Age: The Picture-Based Value Survey for Children (PBVS–C)

In this article, we introduce the Picture-Based Value Survey for Children (PBVS–C): a new assessment instrument that was developed within the conceptual framework of Schwartz’s (1994) theory of universal human values. In the article, we describe the development of the PBVS–C with a specific focus on children’s cognitive-developmental background (Harter, 1999; La Greca, 1990) and first applications. Multidimensional Scaling analyses in 2 samples of 8- to 12-year-old children (N= 267, N= 421, respectively) revealed highly differentiated structural patterns that closely correspond to Schwartz’s theory. We discuss these findings and the potentials and limitations of the new instrument with respect to future directions of values research.

Assessing Children’s Values: An Exploratory Study

Currently, much attention is devoted to children’s values and their development in an educational context. Recent research revealed that children hold a solid concept of their values and may provide accurate and unique information by themselves. Schwartz’s (1994) theory established a comprehensive framework of universal human values, and Schwartz’s Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ, a self-report instrument) provided access to adults’ and adolescents’ values. However, it is unexplored to what extent the two would be suitable for children. In an exploratory study, the PVQ was employed in a sample of 8- to 11-year-old children (N = 191). Observations during the process of instrument completion indicated that the PVQ imposed high demands on children’s language skills, cognitive capacities, and ability for abstract thinking. Nonetheless, Multidimensional Scaling analyses revealed highly differentiated value structures. The discussion focuses on the validity of Schwartz’s theory in childhood, promising alternative assessment strategies, and implications for practitioners.

Measuring Schwartz's values in childhood: Multidimensional scaling across instruments and cultures

The Picture-Based Value Survey for Children (PBVS-C; Döring et al., 2010) assesses childrens values through self-report and thereby depicts Schwartzs theory of universal human values at an early age. Despite evidence on the PBVS-Cs structural validity, there remains an open question: Does the PBVS-C measure the same values as does Schwartzs Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ; Schwartz et al., 2001), an established assessment instrument for adult and adolescent respondents? To answer this question about the PBVS-Cs validity, Polish (N = 167) and German (N = 119) childrens values were measured with both instruments. The multitrait–multimethod correlation matrix (Campbell & Fiske, 1959) of value items from both instruments was analysed with multidimensional scaling (MDS), as proposed by Borg and Groenen (1997). Our structural expectations for the MDS output about the distinctiveness (1) of Schwartzs higher order value types (i.e., traits) and (2) of the two assessment methods (PBVS-C and PVQ) were confirmed in both samples.

Structural Validity of the Polish Adaptation of the Picture-Based Value Survey for Children (PBVS-C)

Recent years have witnessed an increasing number of studies, also in the field of educational psychology, on values within the framework proposed by Schwartz, involving younger and younger respondents. A fresh impetus to studies on children’s values was given by the Picture-Based Value Survey for Children (PBVS-C), which was developed by Döring and her colleagues. This article presents the development and structural validation of the Polish version of the PBVS-C, which measures Schwartz’s four higher-order values self-transcendence, self-enhancement, openness to change, and conservation. A theory-based multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis performed in a sample of 910 children (aged 8-12 years) revealed a differentiated value structure that closely corresponds to Schwartz’s prototype. These findings are discussed in light of cross-cultural assessment in childhood.