A comparative survey of values among Anglo and Hispanic Mexicans

The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in value patterns existed between the Anglo and Hispanic cultures. To assess value patterns, respondents were asked to rank 18 terminal values listed on the Rokeach Value Survey (RVS) in order of importance. In addition to the RVS, subjects provided specific demographic information on an attached face sheet. Sampling included a random selection of 38 Hispanic and 40 Anglo subjects who lived in a Mexican agricultural community. All Hispanic respondents were natives of Mexico; Anglo respondents were natives of either Mexico or the United States. Statistical analysis using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) identified relationships in value emphasis that could be attributed to ethnicity. The ANOVA also controlled for interactions of demographic variables that might confound these relationships. Findings showed that differences in value emphasis for six of the eighteen terminal values could be attributed to ethnicity. Age, gender, occupation, and education did not confound relatedness that was due to ethnicity. Only between bilinguality and ethnicity for the equality value did interaction exist. It was concluded that Hispanic respondents emphasized more collectivistic values. Although the Anglo group seemed to emphasize more achievement-oriented values than the Hispanic group; they tended to emphasize interpersonal values to a greater extent than Anglo Americans in comparative research.