Terminal versus Instrumental Values Learning Objective 5.6
Terminal values: desirable end-states of existence
Goals that a person would like to achieve during his or her lifetime
Instrumental values: preferable modes of behavior or means of achieving the terminal values
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Milton Rokeach argued we can separate values into two categories: terminal values and instrumental values. Terminal values describe end-states or the desired values/goals a person would like to keep/achieve through their lifetime. Instrumental values are the preferred modes of behavior or means of achieving one’s terminal values.
Values vary between groups and can cause trouble when group members hold different values and negotiation is needed.