Personal Values Test: PVQ-21
Scientific life values test using Schwartz methodology. 21 questions will reveal your priorities — from Self-Direction to Tradition. Compare with your partner to assess compatibility at a deep level.
About the Methodology
What It Measures
The Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-21) is a scientific instrument for measuring basic human values, developed by Professor Shalom Schwartz (Hebrew University of Jerusalem). Unlike direct questions about value importance, PVQ uses an indirect method: you assess how similar the described person is to you. This reduces social desirability and increases result accuracy.
Test Structure
Normative Data
Psychometric Properties
Schwartz's Circular Model of 10 Basic Values
Scientific theory from 82+ countries worldwide (European Social Survey)
Schwartz's Theory of Basic Values
In 1992, Israeli psychologist Shalom Schwartz presented a theory of 10 universal human values. Research in 82+ countries confirmed that these values are recognized across all cultures and form a circular structure: adjacent values are compatible, while opposite ones conflict.
- • Openness ↔ Conservation
- • Self-Transcendence ↔ Self-Enhancement
Value conflict is a common cause of relationship problems
Your results are compared with international norms from the European Social Survey across 82 countries.
4 Higher-Order Value Dimensions
Openness
Readiness for new experiences and independence of thought
Self-Enhancement
Pursuit of success, power, and social status
Conservation
Stability, security, and preservation of traditions
Self-Transcendence
Caring for others and nature, justice
Values Test in Numbers
Scientific History of Schwartz's Theory
Theory of 10 Values
Shalom Schwartz publishes the foundational work 'Universals in the Content and Structure of Values' based on research in 20 countries.
PVQ-21 for ESS
Development of a short version of the questionnaire (21 questions) specifically for the European Social Survey. Beginning of data collection in dozens of countries.
Theory of 19 Values
Schwartz and colleagues refine the theory to 19 more differentiated values. The article has been downloaded over 600,000 times.
What the Test Measures
Schwartz's circular model of values: 10 universal motivational types arranged by compatibility and conflict. Adjacent values are compatible, opposite ones conflict.
Self-Direction
2 questionsIndependent thought and action—choosing, creating, exploring
Stimulation
2 questionsExcitement, novelty, and challenge in life
Hedonism
2 questionsPleasure and sensuous gratification for oneself
Achievement
2 questionsPersonal success through demonstrating competence according to social standards
Power
2 questionsSocial status, prestige, control or dominance over people and resources
Security
2 questionsSafety, harmony, and stability of society, relationships, and self
Conformity
2 questionsRestraint of actions that might upset or harm others or violate social expectations
Tradition
2 questionsRespect and acceptance of customs and ideas of traditional culture or religion
Benevolence
2 questionsPreserving and enhancing welfare of people with whom one is in frequent contact
Universalism
3 questionsUnderstanding, appreciation, tolerance, and protection for welfare of all people and nature
Who Is This For
Want to understand what values guide your life decisions
Looking for a partner and want to assess value-level compatibility
Facing a value conflict in relationships or at work
Making an important life decision (career, relocation, family)
Interested in cross-cultural psychology and self-discovery
Want to consciously build life according to your priorities
Practical Value
Circular map of 10 basic values — priority visualization
Comparison with international norms from 82 countries (ESS)
Identification of value conflicts affecting decisions
Partner value compatibility analysis — foundation for long-term relationships
AI recommendations for harmonizing different values in couples
Understanding the deep motivators of your behavior
Values Test: Life and Personal Values (PVQ-21)
PVQ-21 Values Test (Portrait Values Questionnaire) is a scientific instrument for determining life values, developed by Professor Shalom Schwartz from Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Schwartz Value Questionnaire is used in the largest international study — European Social Survey (ESS) — and has collected data from over 500,000 respondents from 82 countries worldwide.
What are Schwartz's basic values?
The theory of basic human values identifies 10 universal motivational value types: Self-Direction, Stimulation, Hedonism, Achievement, Power, Security, Conformity, Tradition, Benevolence, and Universalism. These 10 values form a circular structure where adjacent values are compatible, and opposite ones conflict.
How does the life values test work?
Unlike direct questions like "how important is freedom to you?", PVQ-21 uses an indirect method: 21 people are described to you, and you assess how similar each one is to you. This reduces socially desirable responses and gives more accurate results. The test takes only 8-10 minutes.
Why know your personal values?
Understanding your values helps:
- Make conscious decisions aligned with your priorities
- Understand the causes of conflicts with your partner at the value level
- Choose a career and lifestyle that will bring satisfaction
- Assess compatibility with partner on fundamental life orientations
Schwartz test and relationship compatibility
Research shows that basic value alignment is one of the best predictors of long-term couple compatibility. Value conflicts (e.g., between Tradition and Self-Direction) can create insurmountable disagreements on child-rearing, career, and lifestyle issues. The test helps identify potential conflict zones before they become problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Schwartz's theory of basic values?
Schwartz's theory is a scientifically grounded model identifying 10 universal values recognized across all world cultures. Schwartz studied people from over 80 countries and statistically proved that these 10 values form a circular structure: adjacent values are compatible (e.g., Power and Achievement), while opposite ones conflict (e.g., Self-Direction and Conformity). This structure is universal regardless of culture, gender, or age.
How does PVQ-21 differ from other value tests?
PVQ-21 uses a unique indirect method: instead of questions like "how important is freedom to you?", people are described to you, and you assess similarity to yourself. This reduces socially desirable responses. Additionally, PVQ-21 is the official European Social Survey (ESS) instrument, providing an unprecedented normative base: your results can be compared with data from 500,000+ respondents from 82 countries.
How do values affect relationship compatibility?
Research shows that basic value alignment is one of the best predictors of long-term compatibility, often more important than personality similarity. For example, conflict between Tradition and Self-Direction can create irreconcilable disagreements about child-rearing. Couples with high Universalism and Benevolence find it easier to reach understanding in difficult situations. Understanding partner values helps predict potential conflicts.
Can values change over time?
Value priorities are relatively stable in adults but can gradually change under the influence of important life events. Research shows that motherhood often shifts women's values toward stability and Security, while fathers don't show this effect. Migration to another country can also influence values, but their relative order (what's more important, what's less) remains quite stable.
How to interpret test results?
Results show your value profile as a circular diagram with 10 values. High scores mean priority values, low ones — less important to you. It's important to pay attention to opposite values in the circle: a high score in Self-Direction is usually accompanied by a low one in Tradition. This is not "good" or "bad" — just your priorities. We also compare your results with international ESS norms.
Are there "right" or "wrong" values?
No. All 10 values are normal human motivators recognized across all cultures. Power and Achievement are not worse than Benevolence and Universalism — they're just different priorities. However, extreme imbalance can create problems: for example, very high Power without Benevolence can hinder close relationships. Understanding your profile helps consciously develop needed aspects.
Scientific References
Schwartz, S. H. (1992)
Universals in the Content and Structure of Values: Theoretical Advances and Empirical Tests in 20 Countries
Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 25, pp. 1–65
DOI: 10.1016/S0065-2601(08)60281-6 ↗Schwartz, S. H. (2012)
An Overview of the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values
Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2(1)
DOI: 10.9707/2307-0919.1116 ↗Schwartz, S. H., Cieciuch, J., Vecchione, M., et al. (2012)
Refining the Theory of Basic Individual Values
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 103(4), 663–688
DOI: 10.1037/a0029393 ↗Bilsky, W., Janik, M., & Schwartz, S. H. (2011)
The Structural Organization of Human Values—Evidence from Three Rounds of the European Social Survey
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 42(5), 759–776
DOI: 10.1177/0022022110362757 ↗Sagiv, L., & Schwartz, S. H. (2022)
Personal Values Across Cultures
Annual Review of Psychology, 73, 517–546
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-psych-020821-125100 ↗Ready to Learn About Yourself?
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Test results are informational and cannot be used for clinical diagnosis.
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