Self-transcendence values in Hungary and Romania. A preliminary analysis of benevolence and universalism
Self-transcendence values in Hungary and Romania. A preliminary analysis of benevolence and universalism

Summary/Abstract: The European Social Survey (ESS) uses an adapted and shortened version of the Schwartz’s Value Survey in order to reveal individuals’ value orientations, that is the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ). The PVQ module of the ESS comprises 21 items, which sketch the portrait of other people in terms of their important goals, wishes and aspirations. Respondents are then asked to compare each portrait to themselves and rate their similarity to the portraits on a 6-point scale (from ‘very much like me’ to ‘not at all like me’). The PVQ module studies ten types of values, corresponding to the broader value orientations of selfenhancement, self-transcendence, openness to change and conservation. Our analysis is based on the fourth wave (2008) of the ESS and deals only with self-transcendence values, that is the valuation of others’ well-being. The approach is comparative and preliminary: empirical analyses are used to reveal the theoretical vs. empirical structure of the selftranscendence values in Hungary and Romania to model the profile of individuals for whom the well-being of others is important. Results suggest that while self-transcendence values are the most important values in both countries, Hungarians are significantly more in favor of these values than Romanians. Women and upper level educated respondents are in both countries significantly more in favor of self-transcendence values, but age is not significantly decisive in this regard.

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