Abstract

Life aspirations have aroused much interest in youth studies. Yet, their psychological correlates remain unclear, especially in countries outside the US. The aim of this study was to explore associations among aspirations, values and moral foundations in 157 Mongolian youth, through questionnaires used widely around the world. Correlational and mean differences analyses found that Mongolian youths’ endorsement of intrinsic life aspirations in general was related to self-transcendent values, whereas their endorsement of extrinsic aspirations was related to self-enhancement values. Moral foundations showed fewer relationships to life aspirations. Binding moral foundations (authority and sanctity) contraindicated intrinsic aspirations, but loyalty correlated positively with extrinsic aspirations. Intrinsic aspirations were supported by moral progressivism (domination of individualizing moral foundations over binding moral foundations). As a generally understudied population, these findings provide a foundation for further study of Mongolian youths’ aspirations.