Wednesday Wisdom
A musing on VALUE.
I have been pondering value a lot recently. Against the backdrop of how we are all living, how we are all well and what are the key factors in removing quality of life andhealth.
The neuroscience of value is a fascinating field that studies how our brains process and perceive value, which in turn influences our behaviour and decision-making.
Here are some key insights:
Value is the experience of attraction or repulsion: This includes the hedonic experiences of approaching pleasure and avoiding pain. However, what people find attractive or repulsive is not restricted to experiences of pleasure and pain. They will take on pain for the sake of establishing what’s real (truth) and managing what happens (control).
Neuroeconomic research: Over the last decade, this field has mapped the neural substrates of economic value. Activation in brain regions such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC), ventral striatum, or posterior cingulate cortex reflects how much an individual values an option and which of several options they will choose.
Encoding of value choices in the brain: Recent studies show that persistency allows value signals to be most effectively represented, or “coded,” across different areas of the brain, especially in a critical area within the cerebrum known as the retrosplenial cortex.
Interdisciplinary approach: The investigation of value is central to many academic disciplines studying human thinking, feeling, and decision-making, including economics, neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.
Valuing the self is a complex field that involves multiple brain networks and structures. It is an interesting concept as within society there are key issues and challenges that occour from a lack of self value.
The main areas of the brain implicated in self-value are:
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (vmPFC): This brain region is crucial for our ability to form and maintain a consistent identity both now and when thinking about the future. It helps to knit together memories of the present and future self. When people sustain an injury to this area, it leads to an impaired sense of identity.
Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC): The importance of attributes to self-identity is represented in the mPFC. This brain region shows differential but systematic activation patterns depending on the importance of presented word stimuli to a participant’s self-concept.
Self-Related Memories: Memories that reference the self are easier to recall than other forms of memory. They benefit from what researchers have called a self-reference effect, in which information related to oneself is privileged and more salient in that person’s thoughts.
Self-Esteem: Self-esteem is a highly complex process involving several different brain networks. These include memory, learning, theory of mind, valuation, emotional processing, amongst many others. The key structures involved include the hippocampus, the cingulate cortex, and the prefrontal cortex (PFC).
Self-Love: Neuroscience has shown that self-love is associated with increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, decreased activity in the amygdala, and the release of dopamine, which is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
Whilst musing on value, I considerted the close relationship that self value has with both being respected and respecting others.
The intersection between value and respect lies in the mutual influence they have on each other and their shared role in shaping our interactions with others.
Respect as a Value: Respect is often considered a fundamental human value. It involves treating others with kindness, consideration, and dignity, regardless of their background or status. Respect is earned through actions and behaviour, and it’s something that should be given freely to others.
Value of Respect: The value of respect is recognized in various aspects of life, including personal relationships, professional environments, and societal norms1. When we value respect, we are more likely to act in ways that demonstrate this value, such as listening to others, acknowledging their perspectives, and treating them with kindness.
Influence on Interactions: Both respect and value significantly impact our interactions with others. When we respect and value others, we are more likely to engage in positive, constructive interactions. Conversely, a lack of respect and value can lead to negative interactions.
Motivation and Behaviour: Respect and value are deeply intertwined with human motivation and behaviour. They influence our decisions, actions, and reactions in various contexts. For instance, when we value respect, we are motivated to behave respectfully towards others.
So having value and balancing this with self-respect and respect for others is a delicate task that requires self-awareness, empathy, and clear communication.
Here are some strategies that might help:
Cultivate Self-Reflection: Reflect on your values, beliefs, and what brings you joy independently of others. Knowing what matters to you helps establish foundations for personal boundaries.
Communicate Openly: Have honest conversations with loved ones about your needs. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and foster mutual respect.
Prioritise Healthy Relationships: One way to balance self-respect and respect for others is to prioritise healthy relationship. For example, in a conflict situation, express your needs and feelings while also being open to hearing and understanding the other person’s perspective.
Take Responsibility for Your Actions: Apologising is great, but owning up to your actions is even better. Whether it’s in a personal relationship or a professional setting, taking responsibility is essential for demonstrating respect.
Support Others’ Aspirations: One powerful way to demonstrate respect for others is by actively supporting their aspirations and endeavors for self-improvement. This not only shows that you value their individual goals and ambitions but also creates an environment of encouragement and mutual respect.
Develop and Show Self-Respect: Self-respect is knowing you are worthy and treating yourself accordingly. Respecting yourself is the first step toward understanding you deserve love, consideration, and opportunities like everyone else.
Remember, the key to balancing self-respect and respect for others lies in understanding and acknowledging your own worth, while also recognising and appreciating the inherent value of others.
So we have got back to the power of value and in particular self value.
Building value in the brain involves a complex interplay of neuroplasticity, learning, and habit formation.
Here is what we can do to imrpove it -
Neuroplasticity: Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This process allows the neurons in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or changes in their environment.
CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT TO ONE OF VALUE
Learning and Memory: Every time we learn something new, our brains make new physical connections between the brain cells, or neurons. If you learn something new, your brain will be physically different than it was when you started learning. This is because memories are encoded by physical changes in the brain.
LEARN WHAT VALUE IS
Habit Formation: Building and maintaining habits is a complex interplay between our brains, behaviours, and the environments we navigate. The habit loop, a fundamental concept in habit formation, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the neuroscience behind habit formation. At its core, the habit loop consists of three key elements: cue, routine, and reward.
CULTUVATE HABITS THAT VALUE WHO YOU ARE
Value and Reward: The reward phase of the habit loop involves the brain experiencing a surge in dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Dopamine plays a pivotal role in reinforcing the habit loop, creating a positive association with the behaviour. This reinforcement strengthens the synaptic connections formed during the routine, making the habit more automatic and ingrained over time.
DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO HAVE ACCESS TO DOPAMINE HIJACKING
In summary, building value in the brain involves learning new things, forming and maintaining habits, and reinforcing these habits through rewards. This process is underpinned by the brain’s neuroplasticity, which allows it to adapt and change in response to new experiences. The harder we work at something the more dopamine we get in the right part of the brain which intrinsically leads to higher feelings of self value.
Value is indeed valuable. Having low levels impacts both physical and psychological health. Take some time right now to consider what you do to improve your value.
I have compiled a helpful walkthrough on how we can appreciate ourselves more.
Appreciation is all about raising value.
You can find it HERE.
I learned the value of hard word by working hard