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chapter 4 | Questions of Values and Ethics 41 CikguOnline
Value Systems when they work toward achieving values that they
believe are important.
A value system is a set of related values. For exam-
ple, one person may value (believe to be important)
How Values Are Developed
societal aspects of life, such as money, objects, and
Values are learned (Wright, 1987). Values can be
status. Another person may value more abstract
taught directly, incorporated through societal
concepts, such as kindness, charity, and caring.
norms, and modeled through behavior. Children
Values may vary significantly, based on an individ-
learn by watching their parents, friends, teachers,
ual’s culture and religious upbringing. An individ-
and religious leaders. Through continuous rein-
ual’s system of values frequently affects how he or
forcement, children eventually learn about and then
she makes decisions. For example, one person may
adopt values as their own.Because of the values they
base a decision on cost, and another person placed
hold dear, people often make great demands on
in the same situation may base the decision on a
themselves,ignoring the personal cost.For example:
more abstract quality, such as kindness. There are
different categories of values: David grew up in a family in which educational
■ Intrinsic values are those related to sustaining life, achievement was highly valued. Not surprisingly,
such as food and water (Steele & Harmon, 1983). he adopted this as one of his own values. At school,
■ Extrinsic values are not essential to life. Things, he worked very hard because some of the subjects did
people, and ideas, such as kindness, understand- not come easily to him. When his grades did not
ing, and material items, are extrinsically valuable. reflect his great effort, he felt as though he had dis-
■ Personal values are qualities that people consider appointed his family as well as himself. By the time
valuable in their private lives. Such concepts as David reached the age of 15, he had developed
strong family ties and acceptance by others are severe migraine headaches.
personal values.
Values change with experience and maturity. For
■ Professional values are qualities considered
example, young children often value objects, such
important by a professional group. Autonomy,
as a favorite blanket or stuffed animal. Older chil-
integrity, and commitment are examples of
dren are more likely to value a particular event,such
professional values.
as a scouting expedition. As they enter adolescence,
People’s behaviors are motivated by values.Individuals they may value peer opinion over the opinions of
take risks, relinquish their own comfort and security, their parents. Young adults often value certain
and generate extraordinary efforts because of their ideals, such as beauty and heroism. The values of
values (Edge & Groves, 2005). Patients with trau- adults are formed from all of these experiences as
matic brain injury may overcome tremendous barri- well as from learning and thought.
ers because they value independence. Race-car The number of values that people hold is not as
drivers may risk death or other serious injury because important as what values they consider important.
they value competition and winning. Choices are influenced by values. The way people
Values also generate the standards by which use their own time and money, choose friends, and
people judge others. For example, someone who pursue a career are all influenced by values.
values work over leisure activities will look unfavor-
ably on the coworker who refuses to work through- Values Clarification
out the weekend. A person who believes that health Values clarification is deciding what one believes is
is more important than wealth would approve of important. It is the process that helps people
spending money on a relaxing vacation or perhaps become aware of their values.Values play an impor-
joining a health club rather than putting the money tant role in everyday decision making. For this rea-
in the bank. son, nurses need to be aware of what they do and
Often people adopt the values of individuals do not value. This process helps them to behave in
they admire. For example, a nursing student may a manner that is consistent with their values.
begin to value humor after observing it used effec- Both personal and professional values influence
tively with patients. Values provide a guide for nurses’ decisions. Understanding one’s own values
decision making and give additional meaning to simplifies solving problems, making decisions, and
life. Individuals develop a sense of satisfaction developing better relationships with others when