Values

Explanations > Values

About values | Historical values | Research on values | So what?

Values is a confusing word that often gets confused with 'value' as in the value you get from buying a cheap, but well-built house. Values are, in fact powerful drivers of how we think and behave.

About values

• Value categories: different spheres into which we place values.
• Values, Morals and Ethics: splits hairs between these three rule-sets.
• Value of values: what are they for?
• Values types: there are two types of values: instrumental and end-state.
• Stress values: we use different values when we are under stress.

Historical values

• American values: A list of traditional US cultural values.
• Aristotle's Ethics: Values from the classical world.
• Franklin's Thirteen Virtues: Ben Franklin's advice for good people.
• Nicomachean Ethics: Aristotle's masterwork.
• Prudentius' seven virtues: Source of Christian virtues.
• The Seven Deadly Sins: Pope Gregory's anti-list.
• The Seven Virtues: The counterpoint to the sins.
• The Ten Commandments: Basic Christian values.

Research on values

• Career Anchors: identified by Edgar Schein as shapers of what we do.
• Governing Values: common modern values identified by Chris Argyris at Harvard.
• Five Common Human Concerns: Kohl's beliefs/concerns.
• Schwartz's Value Inventory: research-based set of common values.
• Values in Action (VIA): Values from Positive Psychology.

Values are also often a significant element of culture, where they form a part of the shared ruleset of a group.

When I break my values, I will feel shame and guilt. If you break my values, I will feel repulsed. If I maintain my values when tempted to break them, I will feel pride.

So what?

Know the the values to which the other person will subscribe (these are often common sense) as well as the actual values they enact in practice (watch them for this). From this:

• Beware of the values in practice which can be harmful to you (will they betray you?).
• Know the values that if you transgress will lead to betrayal responses from them.
• Find values that can act as persuasion levers.

If you act in a way which supports their values they will increase their trust in you. 

See also

Social Norms, Guilt, Repulsion, Pride, Shame

Kohlberg's Stage Theory, Preferences

Theories about conforming

Theories about groups

Theories about trust

Blogs by subject: Values