Depth‐Oriented Values Extraction

The author examines the role of values in the career decision-making process and describes Depth-Oriented Values Extraction (DOVE) as a process that translates various types of psychological data (e.g., Holland-type themes) into values-based terms and language that facilitate career decision making. The author presents a case study to demonstrate the implications of DOVE for career counseling and makes suggestions for counselors. The role of values in the decision-making process has been examined by many researchers (e.g., Brown, 1995; Kinnier, 1995; Raths, Harmin, & Simon, 1966; Rogers, 1977; Rokeach, 1977; Super, 1957; Super, Savickas, & Super, 1996; Super & Sverko, 1995). Rokeach (1977) noted that values have cognitive (knowing the correct end state to strive for), affective (feeling emotion for or against the value), and behavioral (the value as an intervening variable that leads to action when activated) components. Interests are one manifestation of values and may be the cognitive representation of the need to guide actions; evaluate self and others; and serve adjustive, knowledge, and self-actualization functions. Dewey (1897/1959) believed that a child's interests are the "signs and symptoms of growing power . dawning capacities . (that) prophesy the stage upon which he is about to enter" (p. 29). Two distinct values systems may be operative in the career decisionmaking process, and they constantly contribute to cognitive and affective processes associated with decision making (Colozzi, 1978; Colozzi & Haehnlen, 1982). The first value system, (i.e., expressed values) can be misleading and cause confusion to a client because it is often in conflict and tends to overshadow the second system (i.e., implied values), which seems to serve as a truer and more accurate criterion for making self-actualizing career and life choices (Colozzi & Colozzi, 2000). Expressed values are the values that a person readily identifies as his or her values when asked the question, "What are your most important work or life values? " Implied values are more hidden and can be extracted through a reflective dialogue involving self-reflection and individual counseling. Expressed work values seem to be influenced by external sources (e.g., present employment situation, parents, peers). Examples of expressed values might be security or steady pay. They are most similar to Rogers's (1977) discussion of "conceived values" that originate in early childhood and accumulate throughout people's lives. They evolve into introjected, or absorbed, value patterns-a set of rarely examined, fixed concepts by which individuals live (Rogers, 1977). Expressed values are also similar to Fowler's (1981) "assumptive value" system that is formed and influenced by external sources of authority and usually defined by a group or group membership that can block an individual's capacity for the critical reflection that is necessary in order for an individual to become his or her true self and to form his or her own perceptions. People are usually unaware of their implied values, which often only become a part of a person's conscious thoughts through an in-depth analysis and reflection of interests, because interests are one manifestation of values (Rokeach, 1977). Super (see Super et al., 1996) also considered the important relationship between values and interests when he explained how values provided a sense of purpose and "venues" for the expression of interests. Implied values usually appear as specifically worded value themes that relate to a client's Holland-type (Holland, 1996) RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) theme. Implied values are similar to Rogers's discussion of "operative" values (Rogers, 1977), which are the behaviors that indicate preferences for one specific object or objective rather than for another. He described how this "organismic valuing process" can be used by individuals to effectively negotiate complex value problems that tend to lead to self-actualization. …