A personal values quiz is a short self-assessment that helps you identify the principles that matter most to you. This one is based on psychologist Shalom Schwartz’s theory of basic human values, which describes 10 values found across cultures: self-direction, stimulation, hedonism, achievement, power, security, conformity, tradition, benevolence and universalism.
Last updated: 10 November 2026
Reading time: about 10 minutes
How we wrote this article: this article was written by Saj Ali. It includes a free interactive quiz, explains Schwartz’s theory of basic human values and shows how to use your values in daily life, and every research claim links to its source.
The personal values quiz in brief
- What it is. 15 questions, about 3 minutes.
- What it measures. Schwartz’s 10 basic human values, from self-direction to universalism.
- What you get. Your top value, your top three and a runner-up, with tips.
- Why it helps. Knowing your values makes decisions, goals and relationships clearer.
- Privacy. Your answers stay in your browser and are not saved.
Take the Personal Values Quiz
Answer 15 quick questions by picking the option that feels most like you. You will see your top value, your top three and a runner-up. Your answers stay on this page and are not saved or sent anywhere.
Contents
- What Personal Values Are
- The 10 Basic Human Values
- The Circle of Values
- How to Read Your Result
- Why Knowing Your Values Helps
- How to Live by Your Values
- Values at Work
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
- Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
- Sources
What Personal Values Are
Personal values are the broad goals and principles that guide what you choose, how you act and how you judge situations. They are different from goals. A goal can be finished, like running a marathon. A value is a direction you keep moving in, like health or adventure.
Psychologist Shalom Schwartz developed one of the most widely used theories of values. He defines values as beliefs linked to emotion, which refer to desirable goals, go beyond specific situations, act as standards for choices and are ordered by importance (Schwartz, 2012). His original research tested the theory with samples in 20 countries (Schwartz, 1992), and it has since been studied in many more.
Everyone holds all 10 values to some degree. What makes you you is the order of importance. This quiz helps you see which values sit at the top for you right now.
The 10 Basic Human Values
| Value | Defining goal (Schwartz, 2012) |
|---|---|
| Self-direction | Independent thought and action: choosing, creating, exploring |
| Stimulation | Excitement, novelty and challenge in life |
| Hedonism | Pleasure or sensuous gratification for oneself |
| Achievement | Personal success through demonstrating competence according to social standards |
| Power | Social status and prestige, control or dominance over people and resources |
| Security | Safety, harmony and stability of society, of relationships and of self |
| Conformity | Restraint of actions likely to upset or harm others and violate social expectations |
| Tradition | Respect for and acceptance of the customs and ideas of one’s culture or religion |
| Benevolence | Preserving and enhancing the welfare of people you are close to |
| Universalism | Understanding, tolerance and protection for the welfare of all people and of nature |
The definitions are summarised from Schwartz’s overview of the theory (Schwartz, 2012).
The Circle of Values
One of Schwartz’s key ideas is that the 10 values form a circle. Values next to each other are compatible, while values on opposite sides pull in different directions.
He groups them into four higher-order themes:
| Higher-order theme | Values | Opposite theme |
|---|---|---|
| Openness to change | Self-direction, stimulation (and partly hedonism) | Conservation |
| Conservation | Security, conformity, tradition | Openness to change |
| Self-enhancement | Achievement, power (and partly hedonism) | Self-transcendence |
| Self-transcendence | Benevolence, universalism | Self-enhancement |
This helps explain inner conflict. If you value both adventure (stimulation) and safety (security), big decisions such as moving abroad can feel torn. Knowing this is normal makes those decisions easier. You can look for options that honour both, such as an adventure with a safety net.
How to Read Your Result
Each question offers four answers, and each answer points to one value. Every value appears six times across the 15 questions, so the comparison is fair. Your result shows:
- Your top value. The value you chose most often, with what it means for you.
- Your top three. How many answers went to each of your three most frequent values.
- Your runner-up. Your second value and a short description.
Look at whether your top three sit together on the circle. If they do, your values point in one clear direction. If they sit on opposite sides, you may often weigh competing needs, which is common and worth noticing.
Values can shift over time with age, life events and culture. Retake the quiz after big changes, such as a new job, becoming a parent or moving country.
Why Knowing Your Values Helps
Reflecting on your values is one of the simplest tools in psychology. Research on self-affirmation, where people write briefly about a value that matters to them, has found that it can reduce defensiveness and help people handle threats and stress, with some lasting benefits in education and health settings (Cohen and Sherman, 2014).
Values also sit at the heart of several approaches to personal growth:
- Goal setting. Goals tied to your values are easier to stick with. See our guide to SMART goals.
- Life balance. The Wheel of Life helps you check whether your time matches what you value.
- Purpose. Values are a key part of meaning. See our guide to life purpose and meaning.
- Relationships. Shared values are one of the factors in our compatibility quiz.
How to Live by Your Values
Knowing your values is the first step. Using them is where change happens.
- Write a one-line statement for each top value. For example: “Benevolence: I make time each week for the people I love.”
- Check one decision a day. Ask: “Which option fits my top values best?”
- Audit your week. Look at your calendar. How much of your time goes to what you value most?
- Set one value-based goal. Turn a value into a specific action this month.
- Notice conflicts. If you feel stuck, see whether two values are pulling against each other, and look for an option that honours both.
- Talk about values. Sharing what matters to you with a partner, friend or team builds understanding. Nonviolent Communication offers a helpful way to talk about needs.
Journaling helps too. Try writing for five minutes on “When did I feel most like myself this week, and which value was I living?” Our journaling prompts give more ideas.
Values at Work
Values strongly shape what kind of work feels satisfying. Here are some common patterns:
| Top values | Work that often suits | Things that may frustrate |
|---|---|---|
| Self-direction, stimulation | Creative, entrepreneurial or varied roles | Micromanagement and repetition |
| Achievement, power | Leadership, sales, competitive fields | Unclear goals and little recognition |
| Security, conformity, tradition | Structured, stable organisations | Constant change and unclear rules |
| Benevolence, universalism | Caring, teaching, charity and mission-led work | Work that feels unethical or pointless |
A mismatch between your values and your job is one of the six risk factors for burnout identified by Christina Maslach and Michael Leiter. If work feels draining, our burnout self-test may help. To see how values shape the way you lead, take our leadership style quiz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 10 basic human values?
According to Shalom Schwartz, they are self-direction, stimulation, hedonism, achievement, power, security, conformity, tradition, benevolence and universalism.
How do I find my core values?
Take this quiz, then reflect on moments when you felt most proud, most angry and most like yourself. The values at stake in those moments are usually your core values.
Can your values change?
Yes. Values are fairly stable, but their order can shift with age, life events and culture. It is worth checking again after big changes.
Is this the official Schwartz Value Survey?
No. The Schwartz Value Survey and the Portrait Values Questionnaire are research tools. This quiz uses original questions inspired by Schwartz’s theory, for self-reflection.
Why do some of my values feel in conflict?
In Schwartz’s theory, values on opposite sides of the circle pull in different directions, such as stimulation and security. Feeling torn is normal. Look for choices that honour both.
Are my answers saved?
No. The quiz runs in your browser, and your answers are not saved or sent anywhere.
Key Takeaways
- Personal values are broad principles that guide your choices and actions.
- Shalom Schwartz described 10 basic values found across cultures.
- The values form a circle, with neighbouring values compatible and opposite values in tension.
- This quiz shows your top value, your top three and a runner-up.
- Writing about your values and using them in daily decisions can help with stress and motivation.
Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
Use these pages alongside this one:
- Life Purpose and Meaning – how to find direction in life
- The Wheel of Life – check whether your time matches your values
- SMART Goals – turn your values into clear goals
- Leadership Style Quiz – another free interactive quiz
- Relationship Compatibility Quiz – see how your values fit with a partner
- Journaling for Mental Health – prompts for reflecting on what matters
- Actualized.org Life Purpose Course Review – a long-form course on purpose and values
- Browse all self-help techniques – compare every method on Self Help Supermarket.
Sources
- Schwartz, S. H. (2012). An overview of the Schwartz theory of basic values. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1116
- Schwartz, S. H. (1992). Universals in the content and structure of values: Theoretical advances and empirical tests in 20 countries. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 25, 1–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601%2808%2960281-6
- Cohen, G. L., and Sherman, D. K. (2014). The psychology of change: Self-affirmation and social psychological intervention. Annual Review of Psychology, 65, 333–371. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115137
- Maslach, C., and Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311
Self Help Supermarket guides are for general information and are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.