What are 9 basic human values
So, what actually drives us? Like, why do people do the stuff they do? Psychologists have been chewing on this forever. Shalom Schwartz, the big name in this space, came up with ten broad values. But for most of us just trying to figure life out, people usually simplify it to nine. These aren't just fancy words in a textbook. They're the underlying reasons we make every damn decision, from what we eat to who we marry. They shape cultures, spark fights, and build friendships. It's pretty wild when you think about it.
The Core Framework: Nine Foundational Values
Schwartz listed ten. But for practical stuff—like actually using this to understand yourself or your team—nine works better. They each point to a specific motivational goal.
| Value | Core Motivational Goal | Example Behaviors |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Direction | Independent thought and action; choosing, creating, exploring. | Setting personal goals, being creative, valuing freedom. |
| Stimulation | Excitement, novelty, and challenge in life. | Seeking adventure, taking risks, enjoying variety. |
| Hedonism | Pleasure and sensuous gratification for oneself. | Enjoying life, seeking fun, indulging in pleasures. |
| Achievement | Personal success through demonstrating competence according to social standards. | Being ambitious, influential, capable, and successful. |
| Power | Social status and prestige, control or dominance over people and resources. | Seeking authority, wealth, public image, social recognition. |
| Security | Safety, harmony, and stability of society, of relationships, and of self. | Valuing family security, national security, social order, cleanliness. |
| Conformity | Restraint of actions, inclinations, and impulses likely to upset or harm others and violate social expectations or norms. | Being polite, obedient, self-disciplined, honoring parents and elders. |
| Tradition | Respect, commitment, and acceptance of the customs and ideas that one's culture or religion imposes on the individual. | Maintaining cultural or religious rituals, being humble, devout, moderate. |
| Benevolence | Preserving and enhancing the welfare of those with whom one is in frequent personal contact (the 'in-group'). | Being helpful, honest, forgiving, loyal, responsible to friends and family. |
Why are these values considered 'basic'?
Here's the thing—Schwartz didn't just pull these out of thin air. He found that these values pop up in every culture he studied. Why? Because they tackle three universal problems humans have to deal with. First, we're biological organisms with needs. Second, we gotta get along with others somehow. Third, groups need to survive. Every society figures out how to handle these, but the priorities? Totally different. That's why you'll find Self-Direction valued in Amsterdam and Tradition prized in Tokyo. Same list, different order.
How do these values conflict with each other?
You ever feel torn between two things you want? That's your values fighting. They're arranged in a circle—some neighbors, others enemies. Going hard after Achievement? Might mean stepping on someone to get there, which screws with Benevolence. Want Stimulation and adventure? Good luck keeping Conformity happy. We're constantly juggling these. It's exhausting. But honestly, that tension is what makes us human. We're not robots with one setting.
How can understanding these values improve my life?
Look, this isn't just academic BS. Knowing your own value hierarchy is like having a map of your brain. It explains why some jobs drain you and others energize you. In relationships, it's a game-changer. Say you're all about Self-Direction—you need freedom, hate being told what to do. Your partner? They're Security-focused, wants stability and routine. Now you get why you fight about vacations or career moves. At work, managers who get this stuff can actually build teams that don't hate each other. Imagine that.
A Practical Checklist for Identifying Your Own Values
Want to figure out what actually drives you? Be honest with yourself. No judgment.
- Self-Direction: Seriously, do you need to call your own shots? Or are you cool with following?
- Stimulation: Do you get bored easily? Need the rush of something new?
- Hedonism: Is pleasure the point? Or does that feel shallow to you?
- Achievement: Does being "successful" (whatever that means) matter a lot?
- Power: Be real—do you like being in charge? Having control?
- Security: Is a predictable, safe life your ideal?
- Conformity: Do rules feel comforting or suffocating?
- Tradition: How much do rituals and old ways matter to you?
- Benevolence: Is taking care of your people your number one thing?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between values and personality traits?
Good question. Values are what you think is important. Traits are just how you usually act. You might be naturally agreeable (a trait) and also strongly value Benevolence. But they're not the same thing. Values are goals. Traits are tendencies. Someone can be introverted (trait) but still value Achievement (goal). Make sense?
Can a person have conflicting values?
God, yes. All the time. It's not a bug, it's a feature. Most of us hold values that are pretty far apart on that circle I mentioned. Like, you might want Achievement and Benevolence. That's a recipe for feeling torn between crushing it at work and being there for your friends. Welcome to being human.
Do these values change over time?
They can. The structure stays stable, but what's most important to you shifts. That guy who lived for Stimulation and partying in his 20s? He might be all about Security and family in his 40s. Life happens—trauma, kids, new jobs—and your priorities change. Not always, but often enough.
Are these values the same across all cultures?
They're recognized everywhere, yeah. But the ranking? Totally different. In Japan, Tradition and Conformity often rank higher. In Sweden, Self-Direction and Hedonism might be at the top. Same ingredients, different recipes. That's why cross-cultural stuff gets so messy sometimes—you're speaking different value languages.
Short Summary
- Nine Core Values: The framework includes Self-Direction, Stimulation, Hedonism, Achievement, Power, Security, Conformity, Tradition, and Benevolence.
- Universal Motivation: These values stem from universal human needs: biological, social interaction, and group survival.
- Inherent Conflict: Values form a circular structure where some values (like Achievement and Benevolence) can naturally conflict with each other.
- Practical Application: Understanding these values aids in self-awareness, improves relationships, and helps navigate personal and professional decisions.
