Instrumental values are best defined as?

Instrumental values are best defined as preferred modes of conduct or behaviors. This concept pertains to the means or processes individuals believe are important for achieving their end goals or terminal values. Instrumental values guide how people behave in their everyday lives, influencing decisions related to ethics, social interactions, and personal conduct. They are about the paths individuals choose to take to get to their set objectives, reflecting traits such as honesty, responsibility, and ambition.

In contrast, terminal values relate to the ultimate goals or desired end states that individuals aspire to achieve in life, such as happiness or fulfillment. The other options, while related to consumer behavior in various ways, do not accurately capture the essence of instrumental values. Temporary satisfaction and individual preferences are more closely aligned with consumer motivations and experiences rather than the underlying values that guide behaviors and decisions.