CLASSIFICATION OF VALUES

Characteristics of Values
•Values are personal.
•Our actions point to what we really value.
•Our values give us our perception of the world.
•Inconsistent behavior may indicate and absence of
values.
•Values change as experiences change.
Based from Famliy Resource management, there are two
classification of vaues

1. Intrinsic or Instrumental
2. Factual and Normative Values
Intrinsic or Instrumental: An intrinsic value is one that is
important and desirable simply for its own sake. It is worthy of
being sought for itself alone. Honesty, co-operation, creativity,
beauty, discipline, respect etc. are some of the intrinsic values in
management. On the other hand, instrumental values are ways
of reaching intrinsic or end values, sometimes called goal
values. Therefore, they form the basic values leading to another.
Planning, skills, order and efficiency and technological
satisfaction are examples of instrumental values.
Factual and Normative Values: The other classification of
values as factual or normative brings out the difference
between the factual values that exist, regardless of their level
of desirability and the normative values that have an ethical
basis. The factual values also called descriptive, generally are
based on people’s preferences and desires. The normative are
ethical values, which carry the idea of right or wrong. Some
examples of factual values are honesty, religion, loyalty,
faithfulness.
 IMPORTANCE OF VALUES
Values are the enduring beliefs that a specific mode of conduct or end-state of
existence is personally or socially preferable.

Values are general principles to regulate our day-to-day behavior. They not only
give direction to our behavior but are also ideals and objectives in themselves.

They are the expression of the ultimate ends, goals or purposes of social action.

Our values are the basis of our judgments about what is desirable, beautiful, proper,
correct, important, worthwhile and good as well as what is undesirable, ugly,
incorrect, improper and bad.
Pioneer sociologist Emile Durkheim emphasized the importance of values
(though he used the term ‘morals’) in controlling disruptive individual
passions.

He also stressed that values enable individuals to feel that they are part of
something bigger than themselves.

Edward Shils also makes the same point and calls ‘the central value
system,’ (the main values of society) are seen as essential in creating
conformity and order.

Indian sociologist Radhakamal Mukerjee writes: “By their nature, all

human relations and behavior are embedded in values.
PERSONAL VALUES –
Social values
Moral values