Issues of validity: Exploring the link between values and behaviour

ABSTRACT

The way we measure values is foundational to their study. This paper explores the empirical findings and theoretical discussions in the literature concerning an essential quality for any measure of values, its validity. We discuss an important debate on validity within the literature concerning the ability of value measures to predict value-related behaviour. We interrogate a key assumption behind the value-behaviour link, namely that a participant’s responses on a valid value measure will predict their behaviour. Ultimately, we make the case that a better understanding of the relationship between values and behaviour may be possible if we also consider social norms.

KEYWORDS:

• Values
• theory of planned behaviour
• social norms
• validity
• character education

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge that this study was supported by funding offered by the Templeton Foundation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by a research grant from the Templeton Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Cathal O’Siochru

Cathal O’Siochru is a senior lecturer in Education Studies at Liverpool Hope University, UK. His research focuses on student beliefs and perceptions of students and their impact factors ranging from performance to retention. Other research interests include Personal Epistemological and Pedagogical beliefs, Character Education, Assessments and Feedback.

Victoria Blinkhorn

Victoria Blinkhorn is a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University, UK, and a Research Consultant for the NHS and Probation Service. Her research interests concern how mental illnesses, personality disorders and traits help to explain offending behaviour in adults. She also undertakes some applied work within the psychology of education.

David Lundie

David Lundie is Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Glasgow, UK, School of Interdisciplinary Studies. He is Associate Editor of the British Journal of Religious Education. He was principal investigator on the Templeton Religion Trust funded study, Personal Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance: From Values to Virtues.