Need and Value Shifts in College Training Groups

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of human relations training on individual values (measured by the Study of Values) and interpersonal need orientation (measured by the FIRO-B), college subjects ranked their peers to determine which were the most valued members of the training groups. It was predicted that people will change their values and needs during a human relations course to become more like those of the highly valued members. Expressed control and political value were found to be positively correlated, and religious value to be negatively correlated with peer ratings. The prediction was tested that students would show positive change in expressed control and political value and negative change in religious value. Only the predicted change in religious value was demonstrated. Other unpredicted changes were observed (largely among highly chosen females and low-chosen males): wanted control increased, wanted affection decreased, and aesthetic value increased. The concept of an internal criterion of change seems worthy of further study.