Values & Ethics © All photo clip art copyright of Microsoft Office Online

What are Values? Degree of importance we attach to various beliefs, ideas, objects, or things Set of values = value system Discussion: –What do you value most? –Review the “twenty- one typical values” presented in your text. Which do you identify with? Which are not as important to you? © All photo clip art copyright of Microsoft Office Online

Types of Values Moral values –Right/wrong; good/evil Non-moral values –Tastes, preferences, styles Discussion: –What are some of your top “moral values”? –What are some of your top “non-moral values”? –Which do you think are more important to you? Why? © All photo clip art copyright of Microsoft Office Online

How Do Values Develop? Shoulds and should nots –Right and wrong Individuation –Separation from our family system and the establishing of our identity based on our own experiences © All photo clip art copyright of Microsoft Office Online Discussion: –What are your earliest memories of “should and should nots”? –What is an example of a value you have that is different from that of your family? How did you come to value this?

The Influence of Other Factors Religious beliefs Attitudes Prejudices Stereotypes Discussion: –What impact do religious beliefs, attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes have on your value system? © All photo clip art copyright of Microsoft Office Online

What are My Values? There are many factors in your life that compete for your time and attention What you value most often determines how you will spend your time Your values will change as you mature and have various experiences Discussion: –What is most important to you? –How does your gender impact your values? –How have your values changed in the last year? Five years? Ten years? –Think of what occupies most of your time. Does this fit with a value that you have (ex. Education, friendship, work) © All photo clip art copyright of Microsoft Office Online

Your Personal Values Classifying –Abstract (intangible) –Specific (tangible) Clarifying –Values clarification Value indicators –Choice test –Time test –Sacrificial test –Emotion test Values testing –Conceived (stated) –Operative (real) Discussion: –Review the four tests provided in your text for better understanding your values. Take some time to think of how you would respond to each of the questions in the text and share with a partner or small group in your class. –Were there similarities with your partner or group members? –Can you relate to what others shared? What was different? © All photo clip art copyright of Microsoft Office Online

We Learn to Value what We Suffer for Cognitive dissonance The mental pain of inconsistency Justifying a sacrifice Discussion: –Do you agree that we value what we suffer for? Why or why not? –Can you think of anything in your life in which there is inconstancy between what you value and your actions? How does this impact your self- image? © All photo clip art copyright of Microsoft Office Online

Living with Your Values Personal ethics, character, and integrity –Personality ethic –Character ethic Confusion and conflict Discussion: –While reflecting on your list of what is important to you, how much of these are related to personality ethic and how much of the list is related to character ethic? –Do any fall into both categories? Is this possible? © All photo clip art copyright of Microsoft Office Online

The Importance of Meaning and Purpose Striving to find meaning in our lives is a primarily motivational force It is our challenge and our task to create our own meaning Discussion: –How do you find meaning in your life? –What people, places, or things have helped you in finding meaning in your life? –How are your ways of finding meaning similar to your classmates? Different? © All photo clip art copyright of Microsoft Office Online