Final answer:
Values are the guiding principles reflecting what is important in our lives, shaping our decisions, identity, and interactions with others. They are formed through lifelong socialization and personal experiences, influencing attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in areas like politics, career, and health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ideas, beliefs, and attitudes about what is important that help guide the way you live are collectively known as values. These values reflect what you consider to be good, worthwhile, or important in life. They are expressed through decisions, actions, and how you interact with others. For instance, valuing education might lead you to read acclaimed literature to expand your understanding of society, such as Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, to gain insights into racial injustice.
Identity formation is influenced by a myriad of factors, including socialization, which imparts beliefs and attitudes shaping personal ideology. For example, government-provided services like education and military defense are often seen as important due to the values shaped by a society. Our career paths can also be influenced by the limiting beliefs we hold, originating from family, community, and media influences. Overcoming these can open up new possibilities for personal and career growth.
Value theory enables individuals to critically examine their life choices, desires, and conceptions of well-being. Personal experiences, such as encounters with racism or other forms of bias, can significantly impact attitudes and beliefs, which in turn affect overall worldviews and interactions with institutions such as government or authority figures.
Ultimately, our values and beliefs start forming early in our lives and are based on a complex interplay of experiences, teachings, and personal reflections. They are essential for developing a coherent set of principles that guide our thoughts and behaviors in various domains, from politics to health.