Value stability and change during self-chosen life transitions: self-selection versus socialization effects

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Personality Science

Background:

• Personal values guide life choices and transitions.
• Adjustment to new life settings involves understanding whether values shape the choice (self-selection) or change to fit the new environment (socialization).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether personal values align with new life settings at the onset of transitions or if they change through socialization.
• To examine how the extent of change within a life transition influences the balance between value-based self-selection and value socialization.

Main Methods:

• Three longitudinal studies were conducted across diverse life transitions: vocational training, educational choices, and international migration.
• Data were collected to assess personal values and their alignment with the new life situation at different time points.

Main Results:

• Across all three studies, a significant fit between personal values and the new life situation was observed early in the transition, supporting value-based self-selection.
• Value socialization, where values adapt to the new environment, was more pronounced in transitions involving greater life changes, such as international migration.

Conclusions:

• Personal values play a role in selecting life transitions, leading to an initial fit with the new environment.
• The degree of life change inherent in a transition moderates the extent to which individuals undergo value socialization to adapt.