A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO THE HUMAN VALUING PROCESS: EXPLORATION OF A THEORY

The purpose of this research was to pilot an empirical exploration of Ervin Laszlo's valuing process model in a systems philosophy of human values that has not, heretofore, been operationalized.; This systems approach to the human valuing process embodies the linkage of environment, percept, code, and response. To operationalize the constructs of the theory, the context of adjustment by women between the ages of 60 and 80 to less energy intensive lifestyles was employed, focusing on one energy conservation strategy within the environmental component of clothing. Perceptions (percept) of specific, selected clothing were compared with expectations (code) for the ideal clothing. Of critical concern was the degree of match between percept and code and its relationship to the mode of adaptive behavioral response the subject was likely to pursue.; The interview design called for subjects to complete semantic differential instruments to assess percept and code; to wear a specific selected insulative garment for indoor wear for one day at reduced household temperatures; to judge personal satisfaction with the garment; to complete a resources questionnaire; and to indicate a mode of adaptive behavioral response, either self-organizing or self-stabilizing. Exploratory data analysis techniques were employed. Findings provided a basis for formulating specific hypotheses for further research concerning the valuing process model.; Specific hypotheses generated concerned the degree of match of percept with code; the change in degree of match with experience with the environmental object; the correlation between degree of match of percept with code and the choice of adaptive behavioral response; the correlation of degree of match of percept with code with the level of personal satisfaction; and the relationship of selected factors (education and locus of control) with the choice of adaptive behavioral response.; This research was designed as part of a broader project having a two-fold purpose: to develop instruments and pilot an empirical test of a systems model of human values, and to operationalize the model in the context of adjustment to less energy intensive lifestyles.