What This Test Measures
Values are the deep goals that guide what you choose, how you judge others and what makes you feel fulfilled. This test ranks ten values that psychologist Shalom Schwartz found in surveys across more than 80 countries.
| Value | Core goal |
|---|---|
| Self-direction | Independent thought and action |
| Stimulation | Excitement, novelty, challenge |
| Hedonism | Pleasure and enjoying life |
| Achievement | Personal success through competence |
| Power | Status, influence, control |
| Security | Safety and stability |
| Conformity | Fitting in, avoiding upsetting others |
| Tradition | Respect for customs and faith |
| Benevolence | Caring for people close to you |
| Universalism | Care for all people and nature |
How The Test Works And How It Is Scored
Instead of asking “do you value security?”, which almost everyone would say yes to, the test describes a person and asks how much they are like you. This makes it easier to answer honestly.
You rate 30 descriptions, three for each value, from “Not like me at all” to “Very much like me”. Each answer scores 0 to 4, and each value is shown as a percentage. Your values are then ranked from most to least important.
Sample description (Universalism): “Protecting the natural environment matters deeply to this person.” Answering “Very much like me” adds 4 points to Universalism.
All descriptions were written by PrismaTest. They follow Schwartz’s published theory and his “portrait” approach, but are not copied from the official Portrait Values Questionnaire.
The Model Behind It
Israeli social psychologist Shalom Schwartz published his theory of basic human values in 1992 after studying people in dozens of countries. He found that the same ten values appear in every culture, though cultures and individuals rank them differently.
His key insight is that values form a circle. Values next to each other are compatible; values on opposite sides conflict.
| Higher-order group | Values | Opposite group |
|---|---|---|
| Openness to change | Self-direction, stimulation (and hedonism) | Conservation |
| Conservation | Security, conformity, tradition | Openness to change |
| Self-enhancement | Achievement, power (and hedonism) | Self-transcendence |
| Self-transcendence | Benevolence, universalism | Self-enhancement |
So someone who values stimulation highly usually places less weight on security, and someone who values universalism highly usually places less weight on power.
What The Research Says
Schwartz’s theory is one of the most tested in social psychology. It is used in the European Social Survey and the World Values Survey. Studies link value priorities to career choice, voting, consumer behaviour, religiosity and wellbeing. In most countries, benevolence, universalism and self-direction tend to rank highest, and power tends to rank lowest.
All Possible Results
- Self-direction: freedom to think, choose and create your own way.
- Stimulation: variety, adventure and challenge.
- Hedonism: pleasure and enjoying life.
- Achievement: showing competence and being recognised.
- Power: leadership, status and influence.
- Security: safety and stability for you and those you love.
- Conformity: behaving properly and maintaining harmony.
- Tradition: respect for culture, customs and faith.
- Benevolence: loyalty and care for close others.
- Universalism: justice, tolerance and care for the world.
How To Read Your Result
- Look at your top three values. These are what you will fight for when life forces a choice.
- Check whether they sit together on the circle. If your top values are opposites, such as stimulation and security, you may feel pulled in two directions, and that is worth knowing.
- Compare with your life. Is your job, relationship or routine giving your top values room? A mismatch often explains restlessness or dissatisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 10 basic human values?
Self-direction, stimulation, hedonism, achievement, power, security, conformity, tradition, benevolence and universalism, as defined by Shalom Schwartz.
Why does the test describe other people instead of asking about me?
Describing a person and asking how similar they are to you makes it easier to answer honestly, because you are not directly rating your own virtues.
Can my values change?
Values are fairly stable in adulthood, but they shift with life stages. Research finds that people tend to value security and tradition more as they age, and stimulation less.
How can I use my values?
Use them to make decisions about careers, relationships and how you spend your time. Choices that fit your top values usually feel more meaningful.
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For reflection on your values, not a psychological assessment. See how we build our tests.