This article is dedicated to a theoretical analysis of the category of “value” from the view of philosophical and socio-psychological knowledge. There has been defined the specificity of philosophical understanding of this category and revealed the sources of philosophical views on the nature, essence and meaning of values in human life. Having analyzed the sociological approach to the study of values, the motivating and regulating role of values in social system and in individual social consciousness was examined. It has been established that values as a sociocultural phenomenon, acting as ideals, norms, rules, and attitudes, consolidate various social communities and groups. There has been elucidated psychological representation of values. It has been revealed that in psychology, values are studied as a component of the personality structure on the part of the motivational sphere and worldview, which determines human behavior and activity. Values as internally accepted beliefs have semantic significance, reflect the desired state and encourage their active implementation.