Circular structure of values in preschool children
Circular structure of values in preschool children

Summary/Abstract: The presented study is the first attempt to verify Schwartz’s circular model of value structure in middle childhood. Previous studies have verified the model in adulthood and adolescence, and most recently – thanks to the method called Picture Based Value Survey by Döring (Döring, Blauensteiner, Aryus, Drogekamp, & Bilsky, 2010) – even in late childhood. However, to date, there has been a lack of adequate testing methods for younger children. To verify the hypothesis of the circular structure of value in middle childhood, we have developed a method called the Values Puppet Interview, inspired by the Berkeley Puppet Interview (Measelle, Ablow, Cowan, & Cowan, 1998). The study was conducted individually with 60 children aged from 4 to 6 years. Multidimensional scaling obtained from the results supported the hypothesis about the circular structure of values and the possibility of dividing the continuum into four higher-order values: self-transcendence, self enhancement, openness to change and conservation.

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