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Security
Stability and harmony — firm ground under your feet.
People who prioritize security value stability, harmony and protection — of themselves, their relationships and society.
What security is
The motivational goal of security is the safety, harmony and stability of society, relationships and the self. Schwartz links it to the basic needs of organisms and groups for predictability and the absence of threat. It is the value of those seeking firm ground: order, protection and the sense that things are under control.
When it's a high priority
- Feeling safe and stable is fundamental for you
- You prefer orderly, predictable environments
- Protecting family, health and assets weighs on your choices
- You avoid risks that threaten what's already stable
When it's in the background
- You handle uncertainty and change well
- You don't need much predictability to feel calm
- You accept risks for the sake of novelty or growth
- Stability isn't at the top of your priorities
Don't mix these up · cross them in your Atlas
There are two “Securities” in Your Self Atlas. Here, in Values, security is a principle you prize — order, harmony and stability for society, relationships and yourself. In the Drivers test, security is what gives you energy and calm day to day (predictability at work). One is a value; the other is fuel — cross them in your Atlas.
How security shows up in your life
At work and in your career
You value stability, clarity and reliable environments; chaos and unpredictability wear on you. It pairs with conformity and tradition (Conservation) and with power, and pulls against stimulation and self-direction, which seek novelty and independence.
In relationships
You're a safe harbor: loyal, caring and attentive to protecting your own. The risk is that fear of change stalls growth. Growth comes from accepting that some uncertainty is part of life — and even of a good relationship.
In everyday decisions
Day to day, you plan, take precautions and like to know what to expect. Be careful about letting fear of risk block good opportunities.
Tensions and growth
Security is compatible with conformity, tradition and power, and competes with stimulation and self-direction (Openness to Change). It is a pole of conservation. Growth here is keeping stability without shutting the door on the new.
People and settings where this shines ILLUSTRATIVE
People who look after others' stability — in finance, security, health, planning and risk management.
Which values guide you?
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Frequently asked questions
Can I value opposite things at the same time?
Partly. In Schwartz's circle, opposite values compete with each other — prioritizing one strongly tends to leave its opposite in the background. You can shift with context, but you rarely live both poles at their peak at once.
Do my values change over time?
Yes. Value priorities are relatively stable, but they reorganize with life stage, experiences and context. Treat the result as a snapshot of what guides you today, not a fixed label.
Is having security as a low value bad?
No. Prioritizing some values naturally places others in the background — it's a choice of emphasis, not a flaw. A low value only means it guides your choices less right now.