Key points
A new 2025 study unifies decades of value research into five clear, evidence-based dimensions.
These five-value dimensions explain why people differ in their goals, priorities, and motivations.
Knowing your value priorities can guide better decisions and improve long-term well-being.
Why Psychologists Haven’t Agreed on the Basic Human Values—Until Now
Personality traits are stable patterns in the way we think, feel, and behave (Johnson, 1997, p. 74). In a previous PT post , I explained how values are a particular kind of personality trait. Specifically, values are strong beliefs and feelings about what is good and important. Values are among the most stable traits across the lifespan. In another previous post, I explained how values guide our career choices and attract

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