Behavioral validation of several values from the Rokeach Value Scale as an index of honesty

Abstract

Of 131 female line workers responding to an attitude questionnaire, 39% returned the scoring pencil which was furnished with their questionnaire. It was hypothesized that the act of returning the pencils was related to the employee's feelings about being honest. As the great bulk of the employees were members of strict religious denominations, it was also hypothesized that the act of returning the pencils might be related to the hoped for attainment of a religious end state, i.e., salvation. Honest and Salvation are 2 of 36 values of the Rokeach Value Scale. Results are consistent with the hypotheses. In addition 2 other values, A World At Peace and Helpful appeared to distinguish between pencil returners and nonreturners. The Rokeach Value Scale may prove to be a potentially useful predictor of honesty in a corporate setting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)