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Values
Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-21)
Free online Schwartz PVQ-21 values test: 21 questions to identify your core personal value orientations with detailed result interpretation.
questions
21
Time
8 min
Method
pvq-21
Rating
4.6
What you'll learn
Your profile across 10 basic Schwartz values
Which values dominate your life
Balance between openness to change and conservation
Priorities between self-interest and concern for others
How your values influence decision-making
Key facts
Shalom Schwartz
Author
2001
Year Created
21
Questions
5-8 min
Time
80+ countries
Used in
300,000+
Respondents
History & development
1992
Shalom Schwartz publishes theory of 10 basic values
2001
Creation of shortened PVQ-21 version
2002
PVQ-21 included in the European Social Survey (ESS)
2012
Refined theory: 19 values (PVQ-RR)
2024
Over 10 rounds of ESS using PVQ-21
About the methodology
The Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-21) is a brief version of the portrait values questionnaire developed by Professor Shalom Schwartz of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The methodology was created in 2001 and first applied in the European Social Survey (ESS), one of the largest cross-cultural sociological projects in the world.
PVQ-21 measures 10 basic values: Power, Achievement, Hedonism, Stimulation, Self-Direction, Universalism, Benevolence, Tradition, Conformity, and Security. These 10 values form a circular structure where adjacent values are compatible and opposing values conflict. Schwartz's theory is the most empirically validated model of human values.
Research has been conducted in over 80 countries with more than 300,000 respondents. The PVQ-21 questionnaire has been used in the European Social Survey since 2002 and translated into 30+ languages. Instrument reliability is confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.47 to 0.80 for various scales, considered acceptable for short 2-3 item scales.
Scientific references
S. H. Schwartz (2012)
S. H. Schwartz (2003)
S. H. Schwartz (2006)
S. H. Schwartz, J. Cieciuch, M. Vecchione, E. Davidov, R. Fischer, C. Beierlein, A. Ramos, M. Verkasalo, A. Lönnqvist, K. Demirutku, O. Dirilen-Gumus, M. Konty (2012)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Schwartz Portrait Values Questionnaire PVQ-21?
PVQ-21 (Portrait Values Questionnaire) is a scientific questionnaire of 21 questions developed by Shalom Schwartz to measure 10 basic human values. It is part of the European Social Survey and is used to study value orientations of people worldwide.
How long does the PVQ-21 test take?
The test takes approximately 5-8 minutes. The questionnaire consists of 21 short descriptions of people, and you need to rate how much each described person is like you.
What values does PVQ-21 measure?
The test measures 10 values: Power, Achievement, Hedonism, Stimulation, Self-Direction, Universalism, Benevolence, Tradition, Conformity, and Security. These values form a circular model with two main axes: "openness to change vs. conservation" and "self-enhancement vs. self-transcendence".
How scientific and valid is the PVQ-21?
PVQ-21 is one of the most validated instruments in values psychology. It has been tested in over 80 countries with more than 300,000 respondents. Results confirm the cross-cultural robustness of the 10-value structure.
How does PVQ-21 differ from the full SVS version?
PVQ-21 is a shortened version (21 questions instead of 57 in SVS). It uses descriptions of people instead of abstract values, making it easier to understand. Despite its brevity, PVQ-21 demonstrates good validity and reliability.
Instructions
Below are statements about your values and life priorities. Read each statement and rate how much you agree with it.
Ready to start?
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