Do the PVQ and the IRVS scales for personal values support Schwartz’s value circle model or Klages’ value dimensions model?

Abstract

The paper compares the theoretical implications of two popular scales for the measurement of personal values, the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) of Schwartz et al. (J Cross-Cult Psychol, 32:519–542, 2001) and the IRVS of Hermann (Werte und Kriminalität: Konzeption einer allgemeinen Kriminalitätstheorie [Values and criminality: conception of a general theory of criminality], 2003; Zusammenstellung sozialwissenschaftlicher Items und Skalen, 2014). These scales come from psychology and sociology, respectively. They were developed, independently of each other, to serve different purposes, are based on different theories, and use different statistical models. We here study the validity of each scale for either theory. It is shown that using the PVQ methodology leads to similar and robust model solutions for data collected with either scale. Conversely, using the methodology that is standard for Individual Reflexive Value Scale (IRVS) data confirms the theoretical predictions for PVQ data but leads to unstable solutions for IRVS data. Nevertheless, the IRVS suggests “peace of mind” as an additional basic value and items that serve to complement the PVQ value circle. “Religion” is found to also fit into the structure of basic PVQ values but it contains a unique component.