Knowing Your Values
Introduction
• Knowing your values means understanding what matters most to you
in your life, what you stand for and what guides your decisions and
actions
• Knowing and embracing ones values is crucial for student life and
development as they impact everything from your academic goals
and career choices to your personal relationships and overall well-
being.
• Developing a strong sense of values also fosters self-awareness,
resilience and ethnical decision making
[Link] values
.Geert Hofstede studied cultural dimensions that influence values in
different societies such as individualism and collectivism. These are shared
beliefs and norms within a specific culture or community, shaping collective
behavior and practices e.g. respect for elders, community support and
traditions.
[Link] values
.These values promote social cooperation and cohesion. They often
influence societal norms and policies and Emile Durkheim focused on how
social norms and values contribute to social cohesion and order in a society.
[Link] values
.These are principles that dictate what is considered right or wrong
behavior, often linked to ethical beliefs and according to Lawrence
Kohlberg's stages of moral development, they outline how individuals
progress in their understanding of right and wrong.
5. Professional values
.These values are specific to a particular profession and guide behavior
within that context e.g. professionalism, accountability and teamwork.
[Link] values
.These values emphasize on the importance of protecting and
respecting the natural environment
[Link] values
.Max Webner analyzed how religious beliefs, particularly in
Protestantism influenced economic and social behavior
Common values
• Common values often refer to the foundational principles and beliefs
that many societies share, transcending culture, geographical
locations or societal differences.
• They form the backbone of humanity and morality and dictate how
we interact with one another and the world around us.
[Link]- recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals,
irrespective of their background beliefs or status. It means treating
people as you wish to be treated.
Types of values
• Values can be categorized into several types based on their nature
and influence…
[Link] values
.These are individual beliefs that guides a persons behavior and
decision making e.g. honesty, integrity and responsibility
.Rokeach Milton developed the Rokeach value survey identifying
terminal (end goals) and instrumental (modes of behavior) values
[Link] and compassion –the ability to understand and share the
feelings of another leading to acts of kindness, charity and support.
[Link] and integrity – upholding truthfulness in actions and words,
maintaining consistency between one’s beliefs and behaviors.
[Link] and fairness –seeking equitable treatment for all individuals
and advocating for those who may not have a voice.
[Link] and unity – working together for a common good,
emphasizing community and collective progress over individual gain
[Link] – recognizing and taking ownership of one’s actions
and their consequences both good and bad
7. Love and care – prioritizing the well-being of others be it in any type
of relationship.
[Link] – the belief in individual rights and liberties as long as they
don’t infringe upon the right of others.
[Link] – accepting and celebrating differences, be it cultural,
religious or personal.
[Link] – advocating for non-violence conflict and resolution and
harmonious coexistence.
Values relevant to student life and
development
• Honesty – being truthful to all interactions including academic work and
personal relationships
• Respect – treating yourself and others with dignity and that includes
taking into consideration what others put forth in an academic discussion
• Responsibility – taking ownership of your actions, in an academic setup
one has to perform their role as a student in doing assignment and
contributing to group activities.
• Empathy – understanding and sharing the feelings of others
• Perseverance – pushing through challenges and setbacks like pilled uo
assignments or group members who are hard to work with
• Kindness – being compassionate and caring to others. In a school setup
help those who cant earn money to come to school everyday by raising
some money for their transport.
• Integrity – maintaining a strong moral compass and acting ethically not only
to teachers but also among students.
• Courage – standing up for what you believe in even when it’s difficult
• Wisdom – using knowledge and experience to make sound judgements not
only what you get straight from the text but add your own flesh to the
bone.
• Humility – recognizing your strengths and limitations and avoiding
arrogance, do not be known as a ‘know it all’.
• Gratitude – being thankful for the good things in your life, the help
your get from group discussion, assistance from both lecturers and
peers.
• By taking the time to identify and embrace your values you can
navigate student life with more purpose dedication and fulfillment
ultimately becoming a well-rounded and successful individual.
How to identify your values
• Self reflection – spend time thinking about what’s important to you in different areas of life
such as family, career and personal relationship
• Consider your actions – what actions do you take consistently, and what motivates those
actions
• Think about your beliefs – what are your core beliefs and principles? These principles or
beliefs might be derived from one’s religious, social or family values
• Seek feedback – ask your trusted friends and family members what they see as your values
• Use value identifying tools – many online resources and questionnaires can help you explore
your values
• It is of paramount importance to identify one’s values so as to correct where you showed
immorality or social unacceptable ways and to not be a push over but have firm principles to
stand up for.
Importance of knowing your values
• Provides direction and purpose – values help us understand what’s
truly important to use, giving life a sense of purpose and direction.
• Influence decision making – when you know your values, you can
make choices that align with them, leading to more satisfaction and
fewer regrets.
• Enhances self-awareness – reflecting on your values can help you
understand your motivations, strengths, and weaknesses leading to
greater self-understanding
• Promotes ethical behavior – values serve as a moral compass, guiding
you to make choices that are consistent with your beliefs and
principles
• Fosters good relationships – sharing values with others can build
deeper connections and foster a sense of community
• Builds resilience – when faced with challenges, knowing your values
can help you stay grounded and resilient
• Contributes to personal development – embracing your values is a key
step in personal growth achieving your full potential
• Shapes future goals – your values can inform your careers aspirations,
academic pursuits, and other life goals.
