mohammad taghi delkhamoush

round a decade ago, while studying the structure and content of human values in Iranian students (Delkhamoush, 2005), some deviations from the theoretical model of Schwartz’ Basic human values (1992, 2006) were identified. The present study aims to explain the alterations in structure of Iranian students’ values dealing with an approach to the original theoretical model in terms of causal effects of socio-political conditions, particularly the increasing impact of mass communication during last decade. 400 students (200 females, 200 males) completed the 40–item version of Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-40, Schwartz et al., 2001) and using Smallest Space Analysis (SSA), value structure relations were determined. Compared with previous sample structure, as well as the original theoretical model, the following cross-cultural similarities and dissimilarities were recognized: 1) in spite of previous study, the achievement value appeared in its expected position, 2) a new alteration in the order of hedonism value, in regard to circular arrangement of values was observed, and 3) national security and social order items were transferred to universalism value as before. The study demonstrated that despite the impact of modernization and convergence process on the students’ values, tendency towards idealizing senses of certain values still remains.

The aim of the study was to identify culture-specifics of Iranian values and to explain the origins of Iranian specific value model in terms of causal impacts of socio-political conditions. In three separate studies, three age groups (15-17, n=1532; 18-28, n=600; 24-62, n=821) were assessed using the Schwartz Value Survey (SVS; Schwartz, 1992) and the 40-item version of the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-40; Schwartz et al. 2001). Through separate Smallest Space Analyses (SSA) regarding value structure relations for all samples and comparing them with the original model (human basic values; Schwartz, 1992, 1994) cross-cultural differences were recognized. As it was expected there were some deviancies from theoretical model which represent the impact of Islamic-revolutionary ideology within socio-political arena: (1) the dynamics relations of higher order dimensions of self-transcendence and self-enhancement were in conflict with all three samples, (2) similar to Eastern Europe samples, a location of socio-political values were formed in self-transcendence dimension, (3) moderate value was removed from tradition and religion values, and (4) in examining the differential impacts of socio-political atmosphere on younger generations in relation to adults, it was found that adolescents did not come to a coherent and continuous understandings of self-transcendence values in two levels of close relations (benevolence) and extended relations (universalism).

the present study applied a structural approach based on the facet analysis of work values (Elizur, 1984) to examine the relationship between work values and work during college years. 400 college students (200 women, 200 men, 200 em- ployed and 200 unemployed) were selected from the School of Management and Accounting in Islamic Azad University and responded to the Work Values Questionnaire (Elizur et al., 1991). MANOVA results indicated no significant differences in fa- cets of work values among employed and unemployed students. Women scored higher than men in affective (F=6.45, P0.011), instrumental (F=17.09, P=0.001) and contingency (F=11.54, P=0.001) values. The interactive effect of job and gender was not significant on any of the facets.

the development of a valid and reliable ego identity sca- le which takes into account the cultural characteris- tics of the Iranian society is a fundamental matter. To deve- lop such scale, 442 female (N = 249) and male (N = 193) uni- versity students were administrated a researcher-devised questionnaire, originating from Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (Adams, Bennion & Hugh, 1989, Adams, 1998). The structure and content of scale were analyzed, using the Smallest Space Analysis (SSA) technique. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Findings suggest the accuracy of four identity statuses of the questionnaire (achieved, moratorium, foreclosed and diffused) derived through internal consistency (alpha co- efficients ranged from 0.77 to 0.85), and the reliability of Marcia’s theoretical model (1966) of ego identity (explo- ration and commitment) for measurement in Iranian culture. Content and structural analysis of ego identity made pos- sible the identification of all above mentioned status of ego and showed that the constituted areas of identity sta- tus were clearly distinguishable. Data suggest that the de- veloped scale of Ego Identity Measurement can be a reliable instrument for measuring ego identity in both genders.

this study aimed to assess the marital values of Ira- nian youth. A sample of 2680 Iranian university and high school students of both sexes completed the Marital Value Scale developed by the research reflecting five di- mensions of culture: embeddedness, affective autonomy, cognitive acutonomy, hierarchy, egalitarianism suggested by Schwartz and Ros (1995). Data were analyzed using the Smallest Space Analysis Technique. Findings showed that the content and structure of Young Iranian’s marital va- lues could be explained by the five dimensions of Sch- wartz and Ros (1995) theoretical model of values. No sex or age differences were obtained regarding the structural and semantic aspects of these values.

alues, psychological structures that are internalized as a result of cultural, social, and personal experie- nces, have their own specific consequences. This research attempted to discover the structural and semantic relations of values among Iranian university students. 600 rando- mly selected university students, including 300 males and 300 females, from four schools of Islamic Azad Univer- sity South Branch, completed the Schwartz Value Survey (SVS). The Smallest Space Analysis (SSA) technique was applied to analyse the data about the structures and constellations of contents of values. Findings show that there is no sex differences in structural and semantic aspects of values, and the contents and structures of human values of Iranian youth widely overlap with the universal theoretical model of values, proposed by Schw- artz (1992). However, Iranian students’ type of achieve-ment values deviates from that of prototypical structure. The deviation can be explained in terms of such cultural characteristics of Iranians as adjustments of young adult to the political system, the ideological socialization in recent decades, and the influence of a two-hundred years period dispute between two conflicting forces, political reformism and traditionalism. The controversial findings of present research require further studies that apply other criteria to test the accuracy of the present explanations.