Multiple paths towards personal and behavioral change: The role of values

Abstract

Changing people’s values is a central goal of societies, institutions, organizations and individuals. The dynamic contemporary world challenges the goals and aspirations of groups and individuals, creating the impetus for people to embrace change and demonstrate flexibility. Moreover, business organizations seek to instill their values in their employees. But is it possible to change people’s values? Due to their central role in the self and their trans-situational nature, values are considered relatively stable. In a series of studies I investigate value change across contexts and paradigms trying to shed light on the psychological process of value change and on the consequences on identity and organizational and social behavior.