A profile-based approach for investigating the values-personality relationship

The relationship between values and personality was examined with latent class cluster analysis (LCCA). This innovative method combines data exploration with the confirmation of hypothesized latent structures. In this study it isolated respondents with similar value orientations and adjusted the clusters for their personality traits. This resulted in a descriptive profile of each cluster's values-personality structure. Such profiles are theoretically meaningful with regards to the individual Self, which is espoused in values, and moderated by personality. Personality traits are psychologically superordinate, but unlike values are less cognitively transparent and useful for self-attributions. The study used a test publisher's archival dataset of 1500 respondents to two established measures of values and personality. The LCCA uncovered five latent clusters which were characterized as: Traditionalists, Maximalists, Intellectuals, Climbers, and Followers. The study describes their value-personality profiles and interprets their personal strengths and weaknesses.