A pattern recognition method for disclosing different levels of value system from questionnaire data

The aim of the present study was to describe, test and validate a method for disclosing significant response patterns from questionnaire data, and for classifying individual response profiles into a sequence of significant patterns. The method is based on pattern recognition statistics and probability calculations. The results from the population tested show that the method can disclose characteristic profiles of different value systems, and that these systems can be arranged in a hierarchical order similar to the conventional levels of ego development. It is suggested that this method is applicable to any multiple choice-questionnaire containing a number of items where the response alternatives represent a sequential order, for example, of different levels of development within a psychological domain. The method might be a valuable tool for acquiring information on the distribution of different levels of adult development in large populations, such as in communities and large organizations.