Fundamentals about personal values and meanings (based on materials from Russian and foreign scientific sources)

Abstract

Background. Currently there is a polymorphism of academic positions regarding the value-meaning sphere of personality. This issue requires a responsible resolution from the psychological community. Building up the system-analytical research on the topic is considered as the way out of this problematic situation. 

Objective of the study is to systematically describe the key academic statements on personal values and meanings. 

Methods. The study implemented a thinking method of “analysis through synthesis” (according to S.L. Rubinshtein and A.V. Brushlinsky). The author distinguished the most essential parts of the numerous works on values and meanings by Russian and foreign authors. The integration of these parts made it possible to holistically outline the main statements on the value-meaning sphere of personality. 

Results. The research allowed to postulate the dominant priority of values and meanings in the personality orientation, to consider the specifics of their genesis, the nature of selectivity, structural characteristics, principles of functioning, and reorganization dynamics. 

Conclusion. Theoretical generalizations based on heterogeneous research on the value-oriented and meaning aspects of personality from the perspective of individual and group specificity can significantly boost elimination of inconsistencies in explanations of the motivational-volitional components of personality orientation, and thus have a positive impact on the development of psychological science.

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