A comparison of estonian senior high school students' value priorities in 2000 and 2009

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the Estonian senior high school students' value priorities in cohorts of 2000 and 2009. A questionnaire based on five value types from the Schwartz Value Survey (Schwartz and Bilsky 1987) - Self-direction, Achievement, Conformity, Power, and Tradition - was used for data collection. The study revealed a significant increase in the importance of Self-direction, Conformity and Tradition during the last decade, while Power and Achievement did not reach statistically significant difference across cohorts. At the same time, the hierarchical structure (the values' respective rankings) had remained the same - values related to Self-direction and Achievement were most important, and Tradition least important for the respondents. Values related to Achievement were found to be more important to boys in gender comparison. The results of the study are compared to the results obtained by earlier research on values and discussed in the context of societal change.