What is a Value?What is a Value? Qualities, or ideas about Qualities, or ideas about

which we feel strongly.which we feel strongly. Our values affect our Our values affect our

decisions, goals and decisions, goals and behavior.behavior.

A belief or feeling that someone A belief or feeling that someone or something is worthwhile.or something is worthwhile.

Values define what is of worth, Values define what is of worth, what is beneficial, and what is what is beneficial, and what is harmfulharmful

Values are standards to guide Values are standards to guide your action, judgments, and your action, judgments, and attitudes.attitudes.

Direction in Life Direction in Life Values help us make important Values help us make important decisions!decisions! Values give direction and consistency to behavior.Values give direction and consistency to behavior. Values help you know what to and not to make time Values help you know what to and not to make time

for.for. Values establish a relationship between you and the Values establish a relationship between you and the

world.world. Values set the direction for one’s life. Values set the direction for one’s life.

Where do we get values?Where do we get values? our homes,our homes, school,school, society,society, friends,friends, TV,TV, church, church, music,music, books,books, families,families, culture,culture, employers,employers,

time-period in which you were raised (70’s anti-time-period in which you were raised (70’s anti-establishment, peace, individuality. 80’s money, establishment, peace, individuality. 80’s money, prestige, don’t get caught, etc. 90’s earth, green peace, prestige, don’t get caught, etc. 90’s earth, green peace, health and fitness), etc.health and fitness), etc.

Your age will greatly influence your Your age will greatly influence your values. Different people and values. Different people and things influence you at different things influence you at different ages:ages:

Ages 1-7 --- parentsAges 1-7 --- parents Ages 8-13 --- Ages 8-13 ---

teachers, heroes teachers, heroes (sports, rock stars, (sports, rock stars, TV)TV)

Ages 14-20 --- peers Ages 14-20 --- peers (values because of (values because of peers or peers peers or peers because of values?)because of values?)

Ages 21+ your values Ages 21+ your values are established, but are established, but you may test your you may test your values from time to values from time to time.time.

Values and Behaviors:Values and Behaviors:

Happiness Happiness comes from comes from letting values letting values decide your decide your behavior and behavior and goals.goals.

Values can Values can change over a change over a life-time as your life-time as your experiences experiences change your change your view.view.

What are some Common What are some Common Values shared in Society?Values shared in Society?

TrustTrust HonestyHonesty RespectRespect EmpathyEmpathy CourageCourage KindnessKindness Social JusticeSocial Justice IntegrityIntegrity FreedomFreedom LoyaltyLoyalty So many more, the list goes on…………So many more, the list goes on…………

““It’s not doing It’s not doing things things

right, right,

but doing the right but doing the right things.things. “ “

Values Help Us Make Values Help Us Make Important DecisionsImportant Decisions

Values Help Us Make Values Help Us Make Important DecisionsImportant Decisions

They help us decide-They help us decide-

Right vs. WrongRight vs. Wrong Good vs. BadGood vs. Bad Moral vs. ImmoralMoral vs. Immoral Important vs. Important vs.

UnimportantUnimportant

THE DECISION MAKING MODELTHE DECISION MAKING MODEL

GGive thought to the ive thought to the problemproblem

RReview your choiceseview your choices EEvaluate the valuate the

consequences of each consequences of each choicechoice

AAssess and choose ssess and choose the best choice the best choice (consider your (consider your values) values)

TThink it over hink it over afterwardafterward

How to Make Great DecisionsHow to Make Great Decisions

Think About the Problem Think About the Problem BRAINSTORM:BRAINSTORM: List ChoicesList Choices

(list at least 3 options)(list at least 3 options)

List the Pros – List the Pros – (benefits)(benefits)(list at least 3 benefits for each)(list at least 3 benefits for each)

List the ConsList the Cons – – (consequences)(consequences)(list at least 3 consequences for each)(list at least 3 consequences for each)Don’t forget to think about your Don’t forget to think about your

Values!!Values!!

ASSESS Your OptionsASSESS Your Options

Make a Wise DecisionMake a Wise Decision

Think it over AfterwardsThink it over Afterwards

Trouble RulesTrouble RulesA set of questions you A set of questions you ask ask

yourselfyourself when making a when making a difficult decision to avoid difficult decision to avoid

getting into trouble!getting into trouble!..

Is it against the law?Is it against the law? Will someone in authority get mad?Will someone in authority get mad? Could it cause harm?Could it cause harm? Is it against my Is it against my valuesvalues??

If your answer is yes to any of If your answer is yes to any of the trouble rules you should the trouble rules you should

say “NO”.say “NO”.

ScenarioScenarioYou are at a party and your friend who drove you You are at a party and your friend who drove you

continues to drink throughout the night. It is now continues to drink throughout the night. It is now 1:30 a.m. and you are tired and want to go home. 1:30 a.m. and you are tired and want to go home. Most of your friends have already left the party. Most of your friends have already left the party. Your friend who has been drinking all night offers Your friend who has been drinking all night offers you a ride home. You are unsure about his you a ride home. You are unsure about his sobriety at this point. He seems really drunk. sobriety at this point. He seems really drunk. You can smell the alcohol on his breath and he is You can smell the alcohol on his breath and he is slurring his words. You don’t have a driver’s slurring his words. You don’t have a driver’s license. The party is getting wilder and it doesn’t license. The party is getting wilder and it doesn’t seem like you will be able to safely “crash” there. seem like you will be able to safely “crash” there. What do you decide to do?What do you decide to do?

Role PlaysRole Plays A friend offers a ride to you & and other friend A friend offers a ride to you & and other friend

who are walking to the beach. The car (not a who are walking to the beach. The car (not a van) already has 6 passengers. Without a van) already has 6 passengers. Without a ride you will have a two mile walk to the ride you will have a two mile walk to the beach.beach.

Your best friend is mad at someone from Your best friend is mad at someone from school and wants to sneak out late one night school and wants to sneak out late one night to egg the person’s house. Your best friend to egg the person’s house. Your best friend wants you to come too.wants you to come too.

More role plays -More role plays -

You have math class first period. Your friend You have math class first period. Your friend has it 4has it 4thth period. He did not study for the test period. He did not study for the test today. He asks you text message the today. He asks you text message the answers to him.answers to him.

Your friend says she does not have enough Your friend says she does not have enough money to buy a new pair of jeans. She money to buy a new pair of jeans. She wants you to help her shop lift the pants.wants you to help her shop lift the pants.