The values of the Сhinese students: The ratio of subjective significance-accessibility

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the significance and accessibility ratio among Chinese university students’ value hierarchy. This study involved 722 students, aged 18 to 25, who studied at the universities of the major cities in China. We used the modified version of “The Ratio of Significance-Accessibility” questionnaire by E. B. Fantalova (based on Rokeach Value Survey) adapted for the Chinese participants. Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s Rho , and Ttest were used for data analysis. Prioritized values ranked by their significance and accessibility were found. The most significant values are family security, happiness and a comfortable life; the least significant values are mature love, sense of accomplishment social recognition. The most accessible values are family security, freedom, self-respect, the least achievable values are mature love social recognition and wisdom. After having analyzed the top and bottom ranks of the value hierarchy, we suggest that the distribution of both significance and accessibility can be explained by the characteristics of the sample: the cultural traditions of the Chinese students, the distinctive culture resulting from the Chinese one-child policy, the social status of being university students. A high level of consistency of all values in terms of their significance and accessibility was revealed. Based on the received data, we conclude that the Chinese students who study within their country have harmonious axiological, or meaning of life and value personality domain within their personality.