Activity: Value of Achievement

Personal values provide your motivation and are a big part of your identity. They can also change through your lifetime.

After conducting surveys across the globe, sociologist Shalom Schwartz identified 10 basic values that are seen in every culture. But individuals score very differently in each value. One of them is the value of achievement, which is linked with work ethic. Achievement and work ethic are values that are very prevalent in American culture.

How highly do you value achievement?

On a scale of 1-5, rate the following statements:

(5) Very much like me (4) Like me (3) Somewhat like me (2) A little like me (1) Not like me at all

_____ It’s important to me to show my abilities.

_____ I want people to admire what I do.

_____ Being very successful is important to me.

_____ I like to impress other people.

Compare your scores with other classmates or a friend.

Ask each other these questions:

1. How does this value express itself in your everyday life? Try to give an example.
2. Where do you think this value comes from? Think about origins in your past experiences or people in your life.

Discuss as a class: How do external influences reinforce the value of achievement and hard work? Think about parents, school structures, teachers, friends.

Extension: Read “Today’s Exhausted Superkids” and discuss as a class. Are today’s students working too hard? How should success be judged? Design your version of a perfectly balanced day.