Values & Decisions PDF

Values & Decisions  Values Qualities & Characteristics we feel strongly about Our values affect our decisions, &behavior Values are standards to guide your action, judgments, and attitudes. When 20,000 middle and high schoolers were given an anonymous survey...

Values & Decisions  Values Qualities & Characteristics we feel strongly about Our values affect our decisions, &behavior Values are standards to guide your action, judgments, and attitudes. When 20,000 middle and high schoolers were given an anonymous survey : (Josephson Institute-Ethics of American Youth)11 -47% had shoplifted. -70% had cheated on a test. -92% had lied to a parent.  Of these same students who took the survey: -91% said, “I am satisfied with my ethics and character.” -97% said, “It’s important for me to be a person OF GOOD CHARACTER.” -96% said, “It’s important that people trust me.”  There is a disconnect between the values you SAY are important, & the actions that you are choosing… honesty “I’ll keep that wallet I found”  Excuses for people’s behaviors can be Endless….. "If they were -He/she started it good-looking" "Was the teacher -They did it first looking?" -They deserve it -or- I deserve it -They’re asking for it -It’s O.K. if you don’t get caught -It depends on… Don’t Let Your Character be Controlled by Someone Else  Think about it… Common Values shared in Society Trust Honesty Respect Empathy Courage Kindness Integrity Freedom Loyalty So many more, the list goes on………… Age Influences our Values Once you hit your teenage years, your peers can significantly influence your values By the age of 21, your values are established & may test them from time to time!!  Situational Ethics : My behavior/decisions depends on…. NO right or wrong - it's a big GREY area It ends up being “when it suits me” and it's often ---S E L F I S H-- - "If everyone was just like me what kind of world would I live in?"  Values help us make important decisions! Gives Consistency to behavior Establishes a relationship between you & the world VALUES Set Our Direction in Life Treat Others How You Want to be Treated!! Your actions are speaking so loud I can't hear what you're saying Don’t be a Hypocrite! Practice What YOU Preach!!! How You Act is Really Who You ARE!! "A person of good character controls conduct by VALUES rather than impulse, desire, pressure, or social custom." CHALLENGE Yourself! Live by your values, especially when it’s hard… That’s when you know who you really are!!! Now, THAT’S CHARACTER!!  Believe It or Not, We Make Decisions Every day! Life is full of Choices. Never forget what you do today can follow you into your future……  Big Picture!!! Our Values Guide our Decisions in Life!  Values help us make important decisions! Remember, Values give Consistency to our behavior & Establishes a relationship between you & the world Everything that you do today can possibly affect you for the rest of your life. Think things through when making Tough Decisions!!!  Snap Decision - 5 Seconds You're Steve. You're in 11th grade. Whenever you go to a party, you tell your dad and leave the car at home; he stays awake to pick you up if there's a problem. You and he have a deal – honesty is the bottom line. Tonight, however, you've got a problem. Your dad is sitting in the living room with Tom's dad, and they're talking about some music concert coming up. You've told your dad about tonight's party, and he's going to wait up for you. The unfortunate part is, the guy who's picking you up in five minutes is Tom. He never tells his dad when he goes to parties. His dad would lose it if he knew his son was going to a party! So Tom just doesn't tell him. You go into the living room and say to your dad, "So long, Dad, I'm heading out!" Before he can say goodbye, the three of you see Tom drive up and beep his horn. Tom's dad says, "Hey Steve, I see Tom's outside waiting for you. Where are you guys going tonight?" Snap decision: What are you going to do, Steve – tell the truth or make up an answer? Know the Decision Making Model! 1. State the Problem 2. List the Options Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 3. Weigh the Possible Outcomes (Benefits & Consequences for each option) Option 1 - Benefits & consequences OPtion 2 - Benefits & consequences Option 3 - Benefits & consequences 4. Consider your Values 5. Make a Decision & Act 6. Evaluate the Decision (How did things turn out?  Use the Trouble Rules to Stay Out of Trouble! A set of questions you ask yourself when making a difficult decision to avoid getting into trouble! Is it Illegal? Is Someone in authority going to get MAD? Will it cause harm? Is it against my values? If your answer is yes to any of the trouble rules you should say “NO”.  Teens on Decisions….. Versus Adults Are more focused on possible benefits versus costs Are more susceptible to peer pressure More impulsive More focused on seeking fun Accept flimsy evidence when they are biased in favor of a topic Take more risks when there is less adult supervision WE MUST LEARN TO THINK BEFORE WE ACT!!