Our values fuel our actions, emotions, and behavior.

They are a crucial aspect of significant branches of studies, including sociology, philosophy, education, and psychology.

Values are tied in with ethics and morals; they guide our judgment and prepare us to choose actions according to their consequences.

The human value system serves self-exploration, self-enhancement, and self-recognition. Values are “freely chosen, verbally constructed consequences of ongoing, dynamic, evolving patterns of activity, which establish predominant reinforcers for actions that are intrinsic in engagement in the valued behavioral pattern itself” (Wilson & DuFrene, 2009, p. 66).

Psychologists believe in the transformative power of values. Studies have shown that ethics and values can change our inner world and alter the way we perceive and react to stimuli. For example, a person who has regard for honesty will genuinely reflect the same actions. That person would be less likely to engage in behaviors such as lying, stealing, cheating, or using any unfair means to accomplish set goals.

Whether personal, professional, social, or life-oriented, values make room for knowledge, wisdom, and heightened self-realization. They are unique and individualized. We all choose different combinations of values in life, and these choices shape our actions and life decisions. Clarifying values is a great way to prioritize our life goals and understand what we truly desire to become.

In this article, we will discuss some of the most popular and standardized measures for evaluating our personal and core values. We will know what value assessments are, why we need them, and where we can find them. The value-based inventories and questionnaires mentioned in this piece will let you tune in to your inner standards and determine what means the most to you.

12 Aug 2019 by Madhuleena Roy Chowdhury, BA

Scientifically reviewed by Maike Neuhaus Ph.D.