Políticas Institucionales

The purpose of our beliefs is to guide us in areas where we do not know reality. That is why beliefs have such a profound influence on our perceptions and visions of the future. Tb reach our outcomes and manifest our values, we must believe that it is possible for something to occur even though we are

not certain that it will happen.

The Values Audit is a tool which applies linguistic connectives to help define and establish key beliefs related to establishing and manifesting core values. The values "audit-ing" process uses verbal prompts and key words to help you make sure you have fully explored the supporting system of beliefs necessary to bring values into action.

We build and strengthen our beliefs and values based on the cognitive maps, reference experiences, relational support and tools that we have available to us. These form the 'reasons' why we believe something in the first place. In order to bolster our own beliefs with respect to our values and goals, or to influence the beliefs of others, we must identify 'good reasons' why someone should believe in those values and goals. The more reasons that we have to believe in something, the more likely it is that we will believe in it. This involves finding and supplying the answers to several impor-tant "why" questions, such as:

a) Is something desirable? Why is it desirable?

b) Is it possible to achieve it? Why is it possible?

c) What is the path that must be followed to achieve it?

Why is this the appropriate path?

d) Am I (Are we) capable of completing the path? Why am I (are we) capable?

e) Do I (wei deserve to complete the path and get what we want? Why do I (we) deserve it?

THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF BEUIEFS

159 According to Aristotle, answering these types of questions would involve finding the underlying 'causes' related to the various issues. In other words, we must discover:

a) What causes it to be desirable.

b) What causes it to be possible.

c) What causes this to be the appropriate path.

d) What makes me/us capable.

e) What makes me/us deserving.

Linguistically, Aristotle's different types of causes are reflected in certain key words known as 'connectives'.

Connectives are words or phrases that link one idea to another; such as:

because before after

while whenever so that

in the if although

same way that therefore Connectives

We relate ideas together, and values to experiences, through these types of'connective' words. For instance, if we were to make a value statement such as, "learning is important," and follow it with the word "because," we would be lead to identify some 'cause' which brought us to our conclusion. As an example, we might say, "Learning is important because it helps us to grow and survive." In this case, an important link has been made to a consequence (or final cause') related to learning.

Different connective words can be used as a means to explore or 'audit' the various 'causes' related to a particular value or criterion. One simple method is to choose a particular value and systematically go through each of the connectives to find any other related supporting associations or assumptions.

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For example, if a person wanted to strengthen his or her belief in and commitment to the value of "health," the process would start with the statement of that particular value:

"Health is important and desirable." Holding this value statement constant, the individual would then go through each connective to explore all of the supporting reasons.

In this case it would be important to begin each new sentence prompted by the connective with the word "F\ This helps to insure that the individual remains associated in the experience and avoids merely making 'rationalizations'. Thus, the series of new statements would be created in the follow-ing manner:

Health is important and desirable, because I

T H E BASIC STRUCTURE OF BELIEFS

161 An example of how someone would complete these sen-tences might be:

Health is important and desirable because I need strength and energy in order to create and survive.

Health is important and desirable therefore I will begin the appropriate steps to take care of myself.

Health is important and desirable whenever I want to be prepared for the future.

Health is important and desirable so that I can enjoy myself and be a good role model for others.

Health is important and desirable if I want to be happy and productive.

Health is important and desirable ^although I have other goals and responsibilities to be fulfilled.

Health is important and desirable in the same way that I need the necessary foundations and resources to reach my dreams.

After finishing the new statements, it is interesting to read each of the entries deleting the prompt words - with the exception of "although". (It is important to retain the word

"although" or that particular response will appear negative.) The series of responses can form a surprisingly coherent and valuable statement of reasons to commit to the core value that you have selected:

Health is important and desirable. I need strength and energy in order to create and survive. I will begin the appropriate steps to take care of myself I want to 6e prepared for the future. I can enjoy myself and be a good role model for others. I want to be happy and productive. Although / have other goals and

responsibilities to be fulfilled, I need the necessary foundations and resources to reach my dreams.

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As you can see, this creates a coherent set of ideas and affirmations t h a t can help to strengthen a person's commit-ment to and belief in t h e value of health. The paragraph defines elements of a pathway for expressing the value, provides motivation, and even addresses possible objections.

Because the group of s t a t e m e n t s identify a multiplicity of reasons (or causes) a n d p u t s them into words, it becomes a powerful source of positive affirmations. It provides an overall explanation justifying commitment to the value. It also provides a rich source of ideas for addressing doubts.

Try this process on one of your own values by going through the following steps, and referring to the Values Audit Worksheet.

1. Identify a core value t h a t is important for you to establish or strengthen. Write down the value you w a n t to strengthen in the space marked "Value' below to complete the value statement.

2. For each of the 'prompt' words, read your value state-ment, add the prompt word(s), and complete the sen-tence with whatever 'spontaneously' comes to mind.

3. When you are finished, read your answers all together and notice what h a s changed and been strengthened.

T H E B A S I C STRUCTURE OF B E L I E F S

1 6 3 V a l u e s A u d i t W o r k s h e e t

Value: is important and desirable.

What is a core value that is important for you to establish or strengthen?

because I . Why is it desirable and appropriate to have this as a value?

therefore I . What is a behavioral consequence of having this value?

whenever I , What Is a key situation or condition relating to this value?

so that I . , What is the positive purpose of this value?

^although I , Wfiat alternatives or constraints are there with respect to

this value?

if i

What constraints or results relate to this value?

in the same way that I . What is a similar value that you already have?

After you have finished filling in each statement, read each of t h e entries, deleting the prompt words and beginning with the word "I" (the exception is the word "although"; it is important to retain t h e word "although" or t h a t particular response will appear negative.)

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