Understanding Values and Beliefs in Life

Types of Values

• Dominant values are closely linked to an individual's personality and influence personal beliefs, behaviors, and perceptions.
• Moral values are standards an individual holds for themselves but doesn't force on others.
• Aesthetic values are personal standards of beauty seen in nature, art, music, and personal appearance.
• Performance values are benchmarks an individual sets for themselves, such as accuracy, speed, and self-discipline.
• Cultural values are standards of what is acceptable or unacceptable in a society, including traditions, language, beliefs, customs, arts, literature, and laws.
• Family values are based on a universally defined value system nurtured and cultivated within a family system.
• Social values are shared beliefs and behaviors within specific cultures and social groups.
• Spiritual values refer to reflecting on non-material dimensions of life and acquiring personal insights.
• Trans-cultural values are similar practices among different cultures worldwide.

Other Value-Related Concepts

• Democratic values respect individuality, ensure equal social, political, and religious rights, and respect democratic institutions.
• Dis-values are values that demoralize and undermine human growth and development.
• Material values relate to basic needs such as food, clothing, and protection from the environment.
• Respect involves acknowledging the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals and honoring their autonomy and boundaries.
• Empathy is understanding and sharing the feelings, experiences, and perspectives of others with compassion and without judgment.
• Genuineness involves interacting authentically and honestly, staying true to oneself while fostering trust and credibility in relationships.
• Client empowerment involves facilitating informed decision-making, autonomy, and self-efficacy in individuals to achieve their goals.
• Outcome-focused involves setting clear objectives and measurable goals to maximize effectiveness and achieve desired results.

Sources of Values

• Family is a significant source of values.
• Friends and peers, community or society, school, media, books, history, religion, and organizations also influence values.

Definitions of Values

• Values are beliefs that something is good and desirable (M. Haralambos).
• Values are ideas in the mind of men compared to norms that specify how people should behave (Zaleznik and David T.W.).
• Values are socially approved desires and goals that are internalized through conditioning, learning, or socialization (R.K. Mukherjee).
• Values are conscious or unconscious motivators and justifiers of actions and judgment (T.W. Hippie).

Categories of Values

• Personal/Individual values contribute to an individual's personality development, such as integrity, honesty, and trust.
• Collective values encompass those that society expects of individuals for its proper function, such as justice, consideration, and solidarity.

Terminal and Instrumental Values

• Terminal values refer to desirable end-states of existence, the goals a person would like to achieve during their lifetime.
• Instrumental values are associated with behaviors that help individuals achieve their terminal values.
• Intrinsic values are related to goals of life and are sometimes known as "Ultimate and Transcendent Values".