Values and Attitudes - Essay Example

Describe the difference between values and attitudes. Values and attitudes are two very important concepts in the realm of sociology and psychology. According to the article entitled “Clarifying Values” by Judy Harrow, attitudes are defined as “general opinions or beliefs”(Harrow, 2011). Values, on the other hand, are a bit more complex as they tend to be what a person places a higher priority on in life. Values help people make choices within their daily lives(Harrow, 2011). Therefore, attitudes are something like the building blocks as they help make up the value systems that people hold.

Perhaps a good example might be the attitude some hold that sex is a sacred act and should be saved for marriage. This attitude builds up the value system of a person who does not engage in sexual relations until they are married or who will make daily choices and decisions based on this particular attitude. What are the factors that influence values and attitudes in children? According to an article entitled “The Impact of Parental Involvement, Parental Support and Family Education on Pupil Achievements and Adjustment: A Literature Review,” parents are the primary factors for influencing values and attitudes in children (Desforges, 2003).

This is due to the fact that children tend to spend a huge chunk of their time with their family members as their primary means of socialization. Parents tend to impart their own attitudes and values by ways of communicating and behavior modeling. Additionally, peers would also be an important influence as this group is the secondary means of socialization for many young children. In what ways are values and attitudes embedded in a child’s socialization? Values and attitudes are embedded in a child’s socialization as often times communication is how information is shared.

In the socialization process, the information that is commonly shared typically will center around a person’s personality and the elements that make up a specific personality. Two of these elements would be the values and attitudes of a person. Through communicating, a person can easily reveal their belief systems and basic value system. A child will likely repeat or model the values and attitudes that they have learned from others and this repetition will cause these elements to become more ingrained within them in addition to impacting anyone else who comes into contact with them.

References Desforges, C., & Abouchaar, A. (n.d.). The Impact of Parental Involvement, Parental Support and Family Education on Pupil Achievements and Adjustment: A Literature Review. Desforges . Retrieved June 26, 2011, from www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/files_uploaded/uploaded_resources/18617/Desforges.pdf Harrow, J. (n.d.). Values and Attitudes. Proteus Coven's Webspace. Retrieved June 27, 2011, from http://www.proteuscoven.org/proteus/clearval.htm