Human Values

DR. SUNIL
MSOB
LPU
News:
Learning Outcomes
The student will learn the relevance of human/personal values in their lives.
Understand the concept of terminal and instrumental values
Polling session
Human Values
The concept 'value' is expressed in different life situations as significant in fulfilling our mental,
emotional, spiritual or practical requirement. It may also simply be described as that which we
find good or meaningful. It is very common to comment on the value of things that one prefers
or likes and for which one may make conscious effort to acquire. But as human beings we are
particularly struck by the values which we discerned in human relationships or in men's actions
and behaviour. Therefore, 'value' is a concept which is widely applied in man's life. In view of the
variety and diversity of human life, the concept cannot be easily explained.
Exercise:
1. Identify top 5 terminal values
2. Identify top 5 instrumental values
3. Match the terminal and instrumental values
4. Discuss with your peers or teacher
What affects Human Values?
Age and stage in life – The ages of my group mates are almost half my age. They are “millennials” and I belong to
generation “Y”. We are separated by a generation. “Gen X’ers” are more self-centered and stays single longer while I
belong to a generation whose ages are now at the point when our lives revolve around our own families and
friends. While they put high priority to values that will have self-serving benefit, understandably because of them
being “single”, I tend to look the other way and rank those values that would bring positive benefit not only to myself
but to other people as well, particularly, to my own family. It’s one of those “I-versus-We” kind of scenario.
Status or situation – Millennials’ values are more oriented on personal gain or happiness. They are more preoccupied
by their career, material and non-material achievements and recognition. This I believe is particularly true because at
this point, they are in a situation when they think, they are in the peak of their journey to ensure that they will have a
secure future ahead. In fact, if you would ask them why they were taking the MBA, their reply would most likely be
for career advancement. I, on the other hand, feel that the MBA is just an unfinished business. Something that I really
wanted to accomplish during my younger years in the workplace but failed for some reasons. It’s a “tangible-versus-
intangible-objective” type of situation.
Hobby or Routine – An individual’s regular routine also develops the way we look at our own values. A group mate,
who is a regular attendee of a religious event, had “Salvation” in one of her top five (5) priorities. Her participation in
the said religious event influenced her to see the importance of the spiritual dimension of her life. Looking at myself, I
realized that my week starts and ends with my family. From bringing my wife to her office in the morning and picking
her up in the evening, Monday to Friday, to the regular nightly rituals and weekend “malling” with the kids. Having
said that, it would naturally seem that my family would be central to my top ranking values in the survey. So it’s like a
question of “What matters most?”
Discussion Questions
When you think of the word values what comes to your mind? Do your identified values fit this
category?
Do you think your values are innate or learned?
Do you think your values will change over time? What are some of the reasons that your values
might change?
Do you think it’s important to identify your values? If so, why?
What are your top three instrumental and terminal values? Why do they stand out to you? Do
you feel that you currently living in line with them?