Value orientations in urban Canadians across the adult life span

Abstract

<p>The effect of aging on value orientations has received less attention in the life-span development literature than its effect on personality. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to detect age differences in value orientation and to appraise the nature of the values that were found to differ across the adult life span. A probability survey of 1, 197 urban Canadians measured the importance attached by 12 age groups to nine terminal values. The importance of the values <strong>excitement, fun and enjoyment in life, security, </strong>and<strong> a sense of belonging</strong> varied significantly among groups, though differences tended to occur at opposite age extremes, not between adjacent age groups. These four values are expressive of the three lowest needs in Maslow's need hierarchy. The importance given to values expressive of Maslow's two higher-order needs did not vary by age.</p>