The Hartman-Kinsel Value Profile (HKVP)

The HKVP which measures a persons value structure is the creation of Drs. Robert S. Hartman and Robert Kinsel Smith, based on Hartman's discovery of formal axiology. Dr Hartman was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973.

The profile is not a personality test, an aptitude test or a psychological analysis - it is a "task" (how do you derive meaning) not a "test" (can you derive meaning). A participant taking the HKVP is required to rank statements or items from best to worst. The statements are formal representations, not specific of what is being measured hence it is difficult to skew or cheat the profile.

Value theory itself is not susceptible to cultural differences (a persons individual results will of course be influenced by culture but the underlying theory is not). Psychometric and personality tools are based on observation and are heavily influenced by culture and therefore often limited in their application.

The scores from profile measure the participants' biases in their thinking orientations and their capacities to value. Measured competencies include:

• Intuition & Empathy (relationship building, interpersonal skills)
• Results Orientation & Decisiveness (energy, attention to detail)
• Adherence and Organization (planning, rule & policy orientation)
• Self View (courage, resiliency)
• Self Awareness (confidence, initiative)
• Self Expectations (work-ethic, will-power)

Extensive criterion validation studies, reliability studies, construct validity studies, and discrimination studies have determined that the Hartman-Kinsel Value Profile (HKVP) is statistically valid, reliable, and does not discriminate between sexes, races, educational background, nor among ages.