The Developmental Relationship between Dimensions of Basic Human Values and Personality traits in Three Stages of Adulthood in Females and Males

The aim was to investigate on the relationship between the dimensions of basic human values and personality traits of three adulthood stages in females and males. A sample of 328 people (169 women and 159 men) was used. The participants were divided into three age groups: young adults (20-39); middle aged adults (40-65); and old adults (66-88). As for the instruments, the “Schwartz Value Survey (SVS)” (Schowartz and Ross, 1995) and “A 10-item short version of the big five inventory” (Ramsted& John, 2007) were used. The results of correlational analysis between dimensions of basic human values and personality traits showed a significant positive relationship between “personal focus values” and “extraversion”, “openness to change” and a significant negative correlation with regard to “agreeableness”. In addition, there was a significant positive relationship between “social focus values” and “agreeableness” and “conscienceness”, while there was a negative correlation with “extraversion” (P<0.05). The results of multivariate covariance analysis showed a significant difference among age groups with regard to “social focus values” (P<0.05). The development trend was increasing and the second age group had the maximum “social focus values”. Among the gender groups regarding “personal focus values” the difference was significant (P<0.05). Males showed the highest mean scores regarding the personal focus values aspect.