Values and Policy: The Case of legal Services

This study examines the value systems of a sample of over three hundred respondents to determine differences between those who use the services of an attorney and those who do not. Using a modification of the Rokeach Value Survey, it is found that those people who use legal services are more apt to value "independence" more highly than do those who do not use lawyers. This finding seems to contradict the work of Phillips (1963) who found that those who value "self-reliance" are more apt to shun the services of mental health professionals. It is suggested that lawyers may function as aids to those who value independence highly and psychiatrists for those who do not. This study casts doubts on simpler models of the delivery of legal services based on traditional marketing approaches.