HUMAN-VALUES AND SOCIAL-ISSUES - AN INTRODUCTION

Values are an important and unique construct in social psychological r esearch. In many ways they offer insight into human belief and behavio r that other concepts, particularly attitudes, cannot provide. Milton Rokeach is remembered as a pioneer in the study of human belief and be havior, particularly in the study of values. In this essay we review t he essential insights that Rokeach offered and the ways that those ins ights have been applied in the study of social issues such as racism, political behavior, social justice, and social change. We also briefly introduce the articles in this collection.