Values, value change and attitudes to occupations as a function of moral judgment level

Abstract

Third year educational psychology students were assessed using the Defining Issues Test, (a test of moral judgment), the Rokeach Value Survey, and an occupational rating scale. As well, they were exposed to a confrontation technique of value change. The purposes of the study were to replicate the relationships noted in the literature between values and moral judgment, and to note the systematic variations in prestige ratings of a selected list of occupations and to measure value change as a function of moral judgment. Similarities were found with the value relationships noted in the literature with post conventionality relating positively to values supporting individuality and spontaneity. On the other hand system maintenance values (family security, national security and salvation) related better to conventional morality. Similar relationships were noted in the occupational prestige ratings. The occupational distinctions that were maintained at the conventional, were removed at the post conventional level, and while altruistic occupations were supported at the post conventional level, law and order occupations were supported at the conventional level. The value change procedure appeared to replicate the Rokeach results with the post conventional subjects only. At the conventional level the value interpretation of the confrontation technique seemed to have little effect and indeed created value discrepancies. Consistent with moral Judgment theory it was suggested that this group was identifying with the fictitious, but similar comparison group referred to in the value change procedure. The value change results were not significant due, in part at least, to the small number of students available to complete the follow-up study. Rokeach, however, has hypothesized a close relationship between expressed dissatisfaction and the degree of subsequent value change. The value dissatisfaction results were significant and can be considered as an indication of the degree of value change that may have taken place had all students attended the follow-up session.