Glossary
Value Conflict
What is value conflict?
Value conflict occurs when a choice promotes one valued aim at the expense of another.
Examples of value conflict
A role with frequent travel might advance a career while reducing time for family commitments. A convenient purchase might conflict with an environmental priority. People can interpret and weigh the same choices differently.
How to think about the conflict
Schwartz's theory describes compatibility and tension among motivations. Conflicting values can be pursued through different actions or in different settings; the theory does not prescribe one response.
Name what each option serves and what it costs. There may be a trade-off, or a different option may serve both values better.
Why it matters
A difficult choice may reflect two things that matter.