Activity to Bring Values into Perspective
Use this activity to help make explicit how and which values drive a discussion.
Dear collaborative discussion friends,
This week we are sharing an activity that examines how values show up in discussions and how they are prioritized differently in different contexts. By focusing on values, we can develop a deeper understanding of what is behind the discussion and how people can disagree even when they have the same facts and even values in common. This helps to humanize and appreciate the complexity of our fellow discussants and their ideas. This activity can be found in the Introduction to Collaborative Discussion Module, and was contributed by Lori Britt, Professor of Communication and Director of the Institute for Constructive Advocacy & Dialogue at James Madison Unviersity.
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Activity to bring values into perspective
We have all participated in difficult conversations. These seem more common than ever. There is a tendency for these discussions to get heated, derailed, or just stuck. By introducing skills that empower discussants to identify and explore the ways that values play out in a discussion, we create opportunities to instill curiosity, engagement, and deeper understanding.
The following activity can help demonstrate how even when people are operating with shared values, our understanding of those values and how we prioritize them can be different.
Activity 1.6 Understanding Values in Context
Activity 1.6 Understanding Values in Context. This activity highlights how the ordering of values can change according to context. Often, discussion groups are not in conflict over the existence of specific values, but they are in tension about how these values are ordered differently for different discussants. This activity asks participants to explore their own values and seek out the values of others, while exploring how their definition of these values can be different and how salient they are at different times in their lives.
Upcoming Events
Introduction to the CDP Toolkit Webinar. Learn about our free toolkit of activities designed to build and support collaborative discussion skills and mindsets. All are welcome! Register for an upcoming webinar:
Looking forward to collaborating,
Kelly & the Collaborative Discussion Team