GENDER DIFFERENCES IN CONTENT AND STRUCTURE OF BASIC HUMAN VALUES

Gender differences in basic human values has been a controversial issue among psychologists. This study investigates gender differences in content and structure of basic human values among students. 204 university students including 98 females and 106 males were selected from Technical-Engineering, Human science, Art and Science schools of Tehran and Beheshti universities. They completed the Schwartz Values Survey (SVS). Data were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Females had high scores in Tradition, Universalism and Achievement content of values whereas males had only higher scores in value of power. Females also had higher scores in Self-transcendence and Conservation structure of values comparing with male students. Females tended to attach more value to Tradition, Universalism, Achievement, Self-transcendent and conservatism whereas males tended to attach more value to Power. These findings are consistent with traditional values which have been transmitted by parents in a developing country like Iran.