The structure of work values in relation to status, achievement, interests, and adjustment

Abstract

The Work Values Inventory (WVI), a 210-item, paired-comparison instrument designed to measure 15 different work values, was administered together with a number of measures of intelligence, interest, adjustment, and achievement to 9th grade boys of the Career Pattern Study (N = 88). The results show no tendency for so-called intrinsic values to be associated, nor for extrinsice values to be more intercorrelated than are values of different types. A centroid factor analysis of the 40 X 40 matrix yielded 10 factors, of which 7 were clearly identifiable. 4 were clearly value factors, 2 could be classified as either values or interests, 3 were personality and adjustment factors, and 1 was an achievement factor. The WVI seemed particularly useful in its measurement of 4 value factors not revealed by interest or adjustment measures. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)