Terminal and Instrumental Values of Beginning Occupational Therapy Students

Abstract

One hundred four beginning occupational therapy students who entered New York University during a three-year period, completed the Rokeach Value Survey. The Rokeach Value Survey consists of two lists of 18 values each, the first reflecting desirable end-states of existence (terminal values) and the other setting forth preferred modes of conduct (instrumental values). Statistical comparison of juniors (n = 56) and first -year master's students (n = 48) revealed few differences. Nonstatistical comparisons of the beginning occupational therapy students with a college-educated sample (n = 68) were also completed. These informal comparisons revealed that occupational therapy students ranked characteristics such as helpful, loving, and true friendship higher than did the college-educated sample. However, the occupational therapy students ranked characteristics such as broad-minded and self-controlled lower than did the college-educated sample. Descriptions of the occupational therapy students' values are discussed, and additional research in the values of occupational therapy students is suggested in order to generalize the current findings.