Alekseeva O.S. Intergenerational Transmission of Self-Enhancement Values

The article is dedicated to studying the transmission of Self-Enhancement values and Self-Transcendence values across different generations. The research is based on Schwartz's theory of basic values, which vary depending on the underlying motivation. The study focuses on the values of Self-Enhancement associated with the realization of personal interests and the pursuit of power and achievements, and the values of Self-Transcendence, oriented towards helping others. The value orientations in 227 Russian families are analyzed, divided into two age groups of parents: “the generation of stagnation” (born from 1947 to 1967) and “the reform generation” (from 1968 to 1981). The Portrait Values Questionnaire was used to assess values. The main findings show that children from families of “the generation of stagnation” rate Self-Enhancement values higher Self-Transcendence values lower than their parents. In families of “the reform generation”, children also rate Achievements higher, but differences in the value of self-transcendence between parents and children are less pronounced. There are significant differences in the assessment of values between fathers of different generations: younger fathers rate Achievements and Power higher and Universalism lower. The study also revealed that intergenerational transmission of values depends on cohort differences and the gender of the child, with the most associations found between parents and sons. Overall, it can be said that differences in value orientations between parents and children of different generations are largely related to the socio-cultural conditions in which these values were formed.

Key words: values, Portrait Values Questionnaire, Self-Enhancement values, Self-Transcendence values

For citation: Alekseeva, O.S. (2023). Intergenerational Transmission of Self-Enhancement Values. New Psychological Research, No. 4, 80–94. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2023_03_04_05

Acknowledgment

The article was prepared within a state task, project FNRE-2021-0001.