Value Structure and Dimensions: Evidence from the German World Values Survey

Held, M., J. Mueller, F. Deutsch, E. Grzechnik & C. Welzel (2009). "Value Structures and Dimensions: Evidence from the German WVS." World Values Research 2(3):56-77.

22 Pages Posted: 20 Mar 2014

See all articles by Maximilian Held

Maximilian Held

Jacobs University Bremen

Jan Mueller

Jacobs University Bremen

Franziska Deutsch

School of Humanities & Social Sciences - SHSS

Ewa Grzechnik

Independent

Christian Welzel

Leuphana University of Lueneburg; LCSR

Date Written: 2009

Abstract

The paper examines the structures and dimensions of four value concepts included in the most recent German World Values Survey (WVS 2006). These value concepts are Inglehart's postmaterialism concept, a reduced version of the Schwartz Value Inventory (SVI), the concept of value synthesis by Klages & Gensicke, and Inglehart & Welzel's two-dimensional concept of secular rational and self-expression values. Relating the concepts to each other, we aim at detecting common patterns in individual-level value orientations. We find major similarities: The concepts by Schwartz and Klages & Gensicke form three common factors - two of them overlap with Inglehart's one-dimensional materialism/postmaterialism concept. In addition, our results suggest that Inglehart & Welzel's self-expression values are an underlying factor of Schwartz's value dimensions, balancing an increasing orientation towards individualism with an altruist orientation.

Suggested Citation

Held, Maximilian and Mueller, Jan and Deutsch, Franziska and Grzechnik, Ewa and Welzel, Christian, Value Structure and Dimensions: Evidence from the German World Values Survey (2009). Held, M., J. Mueller, F. Deutsch, E. Grzechnik & C. Welzel (2009). "Value Structures and Dimensions: Evidence from the German WVS." World Values Research 2(3):56-77., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2393891

Maximilian Held

Jacobs University Bremen ( email )

Campus Ring 1
Bremen, 28725
Germany

Jan Mueller

Jacobs University Bremen ( email )

Campus Ring 1
Bremen, 28725
Germany

Franziska Deutsch

School of Humanities & Social Sciences - SHSS ( email )

Campus Ring 1
Bremen, 28725
Germany

Ewa Grzechnik

Independent

Christian Welzel (Contact Author)

Leuphana University of Lueneburg ( email )

Scharnhorststraße 1
Lüneburg, 21335
Germany

LCSR ( email )

Myasnitskaya street, 20
Moscow, Moscow 119017
Russia

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