Raths, Harmin and Simon imply that values are reflected in behavior.  They suggest that if our values and behavior are not compatible, we really don't hold that value.  However, do people profess values they don't really have?  In this case, they would say one thing and do another.  The following is an excerpt that discusses the prevalence of doing just that.  It is from an article written by Robert Bacal, CEO of Bacal & Associates and Work911.  The article was written to respond to a trend involving values clarification to increase productivity in the workplace.  However, this excerpt is thought provoking as a general commentary on values.  (If you would like to read the entire article, it is available at http://www.work911.com/articles/values.htm)

"There is a single major reason why values clarification exercises don't work very well, and a number of small ones.  That major reason is:

"There is very little relationship between the values and beliefs people express and what they actually do.

"This defies common sense.  Of course our beliefs, values and principles influence our behaviour.  Research suggests otherwise.  A number of years ago, a group of social psychologists investigated this problem.  They approached hotel owners in the southern United States, and asked them several questions about their attitudes and beliefs regarding Afro-Americans.  They consistently found that owners expressed positive attitudes, and
did not support discrimination.

"Some number of months after, the researchers arranged for Afro-Americans to go to those same establishments and request accommodation.  Overwhelmingly, they found that those very people who professed non-discriminatory attitudes and beliefs, acted in highly discriminatory ways towards Black customers.  Often they were refused, when it was clear there were vacancies.  The researchers concluded there was little relationship about what people said they believed, and how they acted.

"More recently, an experiment was conducted regarding lost wallets.  Wallets with some cash, and full identification information inside were "lost" where people could find them.  The purpose was to determine whether people would make an effort to return them to their owners.  Surprisingly, about half of the
people who found the wallets, did not return them.  Presumably, most of these people would profess that they believed in honesty.

"If you take a moment to reflect, no doubt you will be able to identify recent situations where you, or a employee has acted in a way inconsistent with what they say they believe in.

"The truth is that behaviour is influenced far more by environmental variables, expected rewards and punishments,  than beliefs and values.  People act according to the specific situation at the time." 

Which of the two possibilities discussed above do you think is the most common occurrence? Please come to class prepared to discuss the issue of values and their relationship to behavior.