Value structure of college students

Abstract

This was an investigation of value orientations and perceived value sources in four domains: family, education, ethical situations, and religious beliefs. What was sought was (1) the nature of student attitudes toward specific value situations, and (2) student perception of the relative amount of influence of various social agencies in shaping values. The sample consisted of undergraduates enrolled in classes in Educational Psychology at the University of Iowa, and freshmen and senior students living in residence halls at Coe College. Four hundred and fifteen students participated in the project, of which 132 were men and 283 were women. In general, the results did not support the findings of a “degeneration of values in a majority of college students” reported in previously published research. The findings do support recent research which indicates college students have high positive identification with their families (i.e., especially with parental values).