Browsing by Author "Toivanen, Atte"

Objectives. Shalom Schwartz’s theory of basic values has been used internationally in value research and his Portrait Value Questionnaire has become a widely used method of value research in different areas of study. The objective of this research is to represent Finnish class teachers’ values in comparison to the theory of basic values. This research describes what kind of groups do Finnish class teachers form based on their values. In this research is also defined which group’s values are most similar with Finnish class teachers’ values. Methods. The research material has been collected as a part of SEED project in 2010. The aim of the SEED project is to research and develop the education for sustainable development in Finnish basic education. From the University of Helsinki Department of Teacher Education sub-project’s survey data was analyzed the parts about the theory of basic values. The questionnaire was answered by 321 class teachers, who were chosen with national stratified sampling. Results and conclusions. The research showed that Finnish class teachers separated in five different groups based on their values. The groups resembled strongly the four dimensions of the theory of basic values. According to this research the most important values for Finnish class teachers are Universalism and Benevolence. Earlier studies have shown that these values are advocated slightly more by Finnish women than men. The large amount of women as class teachers in Finland explains partially the result. In extension research it would be interesting to study is there a significant difference between male and female class teachers’ values.