Value Preferences Among Adolescents: A Study of Path- and Goal-Oriented Rabindrik Values

Abstract

Background: Values serve as guiding principles in human development, with adolescence being a critical period for their crystallization. Path-Oriented Values influence daily behavior, moral reasoning, and emotional regulation, whereas Goal-Oriented Values reflect desired life outcomes, achievement drives, and social aspirations. Understanding adolescents’ preferences across these two domains of Rabindrik values provides insight into their evolving self-concept and socio-cultural identity. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relative endorsement of Path-Oriented and Goal-Oriented Rabindrik values among adolescents and explore potential sex- and age-related differences in their value preferences. Method: A sample of 271 college-going adolescents (112 males, 159 females; M = 21.07, SD = 3.22) participated. The Rank-Based Rabindrik Value Preference Questionnaire (Dutta Roy & Bhaduri, 2014) was used to assess 14 Path-Oriented and 14 Goal-Oriented values derived from Rabindra Sangeet. Participants ranked the values from most to least preferred, and the rank data were transformed into percentile scores to ensure standardized, interpretable and comparable quantitative analysis. Data were analyzed using percentile distributions, Chi-square tests, and MANOVA to examine individual and group-level variations. Results: Adolescents prioritized introspective and self-regulatory Path-Oriented values, including Self-Awakening, Self-Acceptance, and Emotional Control, as well as Goal-Oriented values emphasizing emotional stability and relational harmony, such as Peace, Family Security, and Positive Feeling. Less emphasis was observed on transcendental, self-sacrificial, and pragmatic values. No significant sex differences were found, however, age differences indicated that younger students favored introspection and self-acceptance, whereas older students valued responsibility, perseverance, and conflict management. These findings reflect the dynamic interplay between individual self-awareness and collectivistic cultural expectations.