Moral Values – A Comparative Study: Romanian and Turkish Students

The moral values of 156 Romanian and Turkish students of psychology and educational sciences are investigated by using the Rokeach Values Inventory. The country and demographical differences are taken into consideration. The cultural statistical significant differences deal with terminal values such as equality, health, inner harmony, national security, salvation, self-respect, wisdom, a comfortable life and a world of peace, and also several instrumental values such as being capable, helpful, intellectual, loving, obedient, ambitious, logical and self-controlled. When considering demographical aspects, Romanian students from small and big cities exhibit statistically significant differences regarding the values of social recognition (terminal value) and the intellect (instrumental value). Turkish students from big and small cities display statistically significant differences when it comes to items of a comfortable life and social recognition (terminal values) and several instrumental values such as forgiveness, honesty, politeness and responsibility. The students coming from big cities, in both countries, display statistically significant differences concerning the previously mentioned terminal values of comfortable life, equality, exciting life, health, inner harmony, national security, pleasure, salvation, self-respect and wisdom, as well as the instrumental values of being ambitious, capable, helpful, intellectual, loving, loyal, obedient and polite. Those coming from the small towns of both countries appear to differ on the following terminal values: equality, health, inner harmony, national security, salvation and self-respect, but also on the instrumental values of being ambitious, helpful, honest, logical, loving, obedient, responsible and self-controlled. Possible explanations and consequences are discussed.