Positive value change during college: Normative trends and individual differences

Do college students move towards “healthier values” over the college years? I examined this question using Kasser and Ryan, 1993, Kasser and Ryan, 1996, Kasser and Ryan, 2001 distinction between intrinsic (community, intimacy, and growth) and extrinsic (money, popularity, and appearance) values. Graduating seniors evidenced large shifts away from extrinsic values, and to some extent shifts towards intrinsic values, compared to their freshman year scores. Those who evidenced greater intrinsic value shifts also reported greater increases in psychological well-being over the college career (Ryff & Keyes, 1995), and greater increases in their sense of self-determination in life. Implications for developmental and positive psychology are discussed.