A value is a cluster of beliefs which guide actions and attitudes. Values are a more central concept than attitudes and are more resistant to change. This makes it particularly important to assess a potential employee's values prior to selecting them for a job position, or indeed, as an individual, ensuring that your underlying values are aligned to your job. Favourable attitudes emerge towards objects that are instrumental in the attainment of values. Values serve to maintain and enhance the self-concept; they have a motivational function and are thus predictive of future behaviour, as well as attitudes and actions. A value is said to be enduring and general, and falling on a continuum of importance to the individual. Click on the Values worksheet below to find out more about your own values.
The Values and Motives Inventory (VMI) is a self-report questionnaire which profiles the motivating forces that are expected to determine the amount of energy or effort that an individual is likely to expend in particular activities. As such, it can be used on its own or as part of an assessment battery for selection, development, guidance and team building. It can assist in directing individuals into areas where they are likely to gain most satisfaction and make the greatest contribution.
During the development of the VMI, a review was undertaken of research and instruments in the values arena. This was to ensure a comprehensive coverage of the universe of occupationally-relevant value items. On the basis of this review, three Value categories were formulated: Interpersonal, Extrinsic, and Intrinsic. Interpersonal Values refer to relations with others, Extrinsic Values refer to motivating factors at work, and Intrinsic Values relate to personal beliefs and attitudes.
Link to sample Values and Motives report (for counsellors)
Limk to sample Values and Mortives report (for students)