Why are values important to people in making decisions and defining self-image?

Answer 1

"Values" is a silly, meaningless buzzword that isn't important for anything.

Answer 2

The first answer is correct so far as 'Values' is only a buzzword.

Having said that, 'values' are what we define ourselves and our world by, if we didn't have 'values' we would find the world a very confusing place to live in. This is one of the reasons that I personally like to call them "social parameters".

When we are within the bounds of our society’s social parameters we are accepted by the majority, this makes us feel good and since humans are basically difference engines (the difference between pleasure and pain) we will generally go towards pleasure and away from pain. So when we follow the 'trend' we feel more at ease then if we were to 'go against the grain'.

Personal parameters are the set of rules and laws that you live your life by, if you never speed in the car it is not because of the law of the land saying that you need to stay below the speed limit is your own parameters that are saying that you will drive slower that the sped limit (or just on it sometimes). When we break one of our personal parameters although no one else may not know we do and we feel bad about it, call it your conscience. And as before we will go towards pleasure and away from pain, so we will not step over our boundaries very often.

When shaping our personal image our personal parameters play a large role, as who we are is moulded by our perception of self (what we see as ourselves in our minds eye) and that is moulded by our personal parameters. For example, you wouldn't go around killing people who got in your way (I hope not anyway) instead you would try to keep your cool in these stressful situations. Why you think of yourself as a kind and considerate person and this governs how you act and react.

However social parameters come into play with this as well, for example you wouldn't go walking down the street bare naked because that is frowned upon by our society, and you may be arrested. These social parameters come into play when and only when we are interacting whit others or have a chance of interact with others.

There are a few other factors involved but that is the main way that it operates.

IN SHORT we move away from pain and towards pleasure and following our values is something that brings us less pain and more pleasure most of the time.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Personal values provide you with your basis for right and wrong. If there were no right and wrong in our world it would be a nightmare! (or as it is currently - people having very limited, confused or undefinable values making living trying and full of struggles in many instances.) My self-image is based off of those values (knowing what is right and wrong) and me carrying out my values.

This is confusing - our world teaches TOLERANCE of choices rather than ACCEPTANCE of the person. TOLERANCE can destroy all bases of values. If someone around you is doing something you know is wrong you are expected to tolerate the wrong choice - my question? Will people maintain thier values into the next few decades????? Scary!

Answer 4

Values just mean beliefs, and are basically the definition of how we make decisions or define ourselves unless you think we should choose things or act based on something pre-programmed no matter what we have experienced or decided.

Answer 5

"Screw you one and all" ? Are you grounded in reality? Previous poster is correct, it's a morality issue. And Christians are more grounded in reality then you realize. The "message" of abstinence was not the failure. The failure was in not being abstinent thus more teen girls having STD's and pregnancies. The odds of contracting STD's derease if you abstain from sex(I don't give a percentage to allow for that rare and odd circumstance of somehow contracting an STD, but it's a lot closer to zero then your message espouses) The odds of becoming pregnant drops to zero if you abstain. I realize this concept goes against the do whatever makes feel good mentality but this is why the increase in aformentioned problems. What we hate about abortions is the killing of a life. Your nickname very candidly states what you think about others.

Answer 6

Your values define you from inside. They are your self image.

If someone thinks that being in the mafia will fulfill a desire for riches and power ... then let them join the mob, but they will be expected to kill.

Then their values are just murder. They are the lowest of the low ... even if they don't think so.

Try the value of love instead ... it can bring you great joy and even bliss!

Life is to short for stupidity. Enjoy yours don't desecrate it.

Jonnie

Answer 7

Ultimately all values are based on the self and the preservation of an idyllic form of self. Thus your values are ultimately to create the ideal self image.

Answer 8

people created values in order to belong to them. So their creations fully taking charge over creators. People completely forgot how to value themselves. Need some device...something or someone else to valuate.Values symbolize a mirror through which people receive their estimate. How valuable values are? It has value only in a minds of a crowd In truth they are simply does not exist...dust. Good question, let me admit....

Answer 9

What you value defines what you pursue, or commit to. Those things wind up controlling where you spend your time, money, energy. Your decisions will themselves be shaped by your controlling desires.

Answer 10

because "values" have been tried and tested by your ancestors. its stood the test of time in your culture, so you value those traits and characteristics that has helped your people emerge through crisis and growth.