Analysis of sequential relations between items in the value-intention scale

The purpose of the present study was to examine sequential relations between items of the Value-Intention Scale (VIS), which measures 6 types of personal values based on Spranger's (1950) theory. An analysis method, Sequential Relation Analysis (SRA), was developed to enable judgments of sequential relations between items. In Sequential Relation Analysis, each pair of items is examined to determine whether the relation between them is sequential or equal. If there is a higher correlation and a larger mean difference between them than the defined criteria, the relation between them is judged to be sequential. If there is a higher correlation and a smaller mean difference than the defined criteria, the relation between them is judged to be equal. Treegrams were drawn to enable visualization of the sequential and equal relations. Participants (320 university students: 156 men, 164 women; average age, 20.0 years) completed the Value-Intention Scale. Sequential Relation Analysis was applied to the resulting data. Six treegrams for the 6 subscales (theoretical, economic, aesthetic, religious, social, and political) of the Value- Intention Scale were drawn. Some characteristic sequential relations were found, which accords with Spranger's theory.