Abstract: Social value orientation is a relatively stable personality trait, which indicates preferences for particular patterns of outcome distributed to the self and others. Researches on social value orientation in western countries presented a theoretical development from the two-dimensional model to the integrative model. These researches proved the influence of social value orientation on individuals’ behavior choice and social cognition, both in experimental labs and in real life. Interpersonal orientation propositions, the latest theoretical progress in this domain，are discussed. Situational factors and egalitarian orientation should also be highlighted in later empirical studies

Key words: social value orientation, social dilemma, two-dimensional model, integrative model, equality orientation