Dr. Shalom H. Schwartz is a preeminent social psychologist whose pioneering work has fundamentally shaped the understanding of human values across cultural contexts. He currently holds the distinguished position of Leon and Clara Sznajderman Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he has been a cornerstone of academic excellence since relocating from the United States in 1979. After earning his PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1967, he established his scholarly reputation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, achieving full professorship by 1973. His academic journey reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging psychological theory with cross-cultural applications, culminating in his appointment to one of the Hebrew University's most prestigious chaired professorships.
Schwartz is internationally renowned for developing the groundbreaking Theory of Basic Human Values during the 1980s, which has become the gold standard framework for studying value systems across cultures. This seminal theoretical contribution, initially formulated with Wolfgang Bilsky and later expanded to nineteen refined value types in 2012, represents one of the most influential conceptual advances in contemporary psychology. To operationalize his theory, he created the widely adopted Schwartz Value Survey and various iterations of the Portrait Values Questionnaire, methodological innovations that have enabled systematic cross-cultural comparisons in over eighty countries worldwide. His research has profoundly illuminated how values interrelate with political orientations, prosocial behavior, emotional experiences, and societal structures, with his scholarly impact evidenced by more than 177,000 citations on Google Scholar.
Beyond his theoretical contributions, Professor Schwartz has cultivated an extraordinary legacy of international scholarly collaboration and methodological advancement in cross-cultural psychology. Following his formal retirement in 2003, he continued to lead significant research initiatives, notably serving as Scientific Supervisor of the International Laboratory of Socio-Cultural Research at the National Research University-Higher School of Economics in Moscow from 2011 to 2016. His work continues to inspire new generations of researchers examining cultural dimensions, value transmission, and the psychological foundations of societal development across global contexts. As an active emeritus scholar, he remains dedicated to refining value theory and mentoring emerging psychologists, ensuring the continued evolution and practical application of his influential framework in addressing contemporary societal challenges worldwide.
