Reflective Exercise: Two Stories of Value Conflicts, Course ID

This homework assignment presents a reflective exercise analyzing two distinct situations where the student faced conflicts between their personal values and actions. In the first scenario, the student confronted a classmate's discriminatory views on gender, choosing to advocate for equality and diversity. The student's values of fairness and inclusion motivated them to speak up against prejudice. In the second scenario, the student cheated on a math exam due to external pressures and lack of preparation, leading to feelings of guilt and dissatisfaction. The assignment delves into the decision-making processes, motivations, and outcomes of each situation, exploring the importance of ethical choices and the impact of aligning actions with personal values. The student reflects on how different circumstances and motivations influenced their actions and the resulting emotional consequences. The assignment concludes by emphasizing the importance of making ethical choices that align with personal values to minimize stress and anxiety.

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Tale of Two Stories Reflective Exercise
Student Name:
Student ID:
Course Name:
Course ID:
Submitted to:

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Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Part 1 3
Part 2 4
Conclusion 5
References 6

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Introduction
An individual will face various dilemmas or difficult situations in his life. In such cases, he will
have two options, most likely that one of the options will conflict with his values and beliefs. An
individual needs to address the value conflict and ensure that the option he is taking is well aligned
with his values and beliefs (Bouckenooghe et al., 2017). In such situations, an individual's mind can
easily override as an individual is desperately trying to figure out the right things to do while
analyzing his entire situation. It can make a person highly anxious and stressed out, but despite the
hoard of feelings inside the mind, it is essential to find the motivation that will drive the individual
to choose the option that will be well aligned with his values (Kinnier, 2019).
The reflective excursive will discuss two situations that I had encountered in which my values
conflicted with my actions. At the same time, in one of the stories, I found the motivation to speak
up, and in the other story, I was not able to speak up.
Part 1
There was a time, and we were required to make a group of 5 people for a group project for a
particular course. My classmate Alex approached me and asked me to join my group; I knew he was
a bright student; therefore, I assumed that he would be a good asset for the group project. Later on,
we recruited two more people in our group until Samantha approached me asked me if she could be
in our group. Alex pulled me aside and told me not to keep her in the group as she is a girl and
would not perform as exceptionally as boys. Alex asked me to be honest with her and tell her that
we rather work as a group of 4 people instead of having a girl as a group member.
In this situation, I immediately confronted Alex. I told him that his perception regarding girls is
entirely wrong, and I would be happy to accept her as everyone has their own set of unique skills
and abilities. Alex disagreed with me, and he ended up leaving the group.
I always believed that women and men are equal, and a woman can do anything a man can do. I was
always taught to reach out to others, and I was motivated to stand up against Alex's discriminatory
remarks. Many people think the same way as Alex does. Therefore I was motivated to break that
wheel and make a difference.

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I am completely satisfied with my decision, as I will stand up for the right of all genders. I am a
firm believer in diversity and the desire to prove myself as the right person. In an ideal scenario, I
would have wanted Alex to understand my perception of equality. I wanted him to accept that
everyone is unique in their own way, and we should not judge someone based on their gender.
Instead, he should have asked Samantha to be in our group.
It would have made it easier to speak if things were in my control. Unfortunately, in the end, it was
Alex's decision to stay in a group and accept Samantha or leave the group. I believe that every
individual, despite their gender, race, or ethnicity, should be provided with equal opportunity so
they can make the most out of their skills and abilities.
Part 2
Back in school, we had our Math final exam, which I had to pass in order to pass the 8th standard.
One week prior to the test, my cousin met with an accident, and his condition was fatal.
Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, I was not able to study effectively for the test and only
managed to study two chapters out of five. I went to give my exam, and when I received the paper, I
did not know 80% of the paper to my horror. I was utterly confident that I would fail until my friend
who was sitting beside me asked me to cheat as he slid his paper towards my side so I could see his
answers. After thinking for two minutes, I went ahead and cheated.
I did not speak up because I was scared to death. I was afraid of the fact that if I failed in my class,
my parents would be furious at me, and all my friends would move on to the following standard
while I would be stuck in the same standard for another year. If I had studied properly for the exam,
it would have motivated me not to cheat and complete it based on my knowledge and preparation.
I am not satisfied with my acts, and I feel guilty and ashamed because I have never cheated in my
life, and I do not want to continue this act in the future. In an ideal scenario, I should have studied
enough to attempt at least 60% of the paper; I did not need to excel the paper; instead, I just had to
pass.
In this case, it would have been easier for me to act if things were in my control. If I had studied for
the exam instead of being distracted by my cousin's accident, I would not have resorted to cheating
in my exam.

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Conclusion
To conclude, it is essential to realize that there is no such thing as the perfect solution. In any case,
an individual should strive to choose that option that will be ethical and make him feel less anxious
and stressed. When the individual's mind tells him that's not the right decision, the person should
identify all the reasons he should not do it and find the motivation not to indulge in those acts
(Kouzakova et al., 2011).
References
Bouckenooghe, D., Buelens, M., Fontaine, J., & Vanderheyden, K. (2017). The Prediction of Stress
by Values and Value Conflict. The Journal Of Psychology, 139(4), 369-384.
https://doi.org/10.3200/jrlp.139.4.369-384
Kinnier, R. (2019). A Reconceptualization of Values Clarification: Values Conflict
Resolution. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 74(1), 18-24. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-
6676.1995.tb01817.x

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Kouzakova, M., Ellemers, N., Harinck, S., & Scheepers, D. (2011). The Implications of Value
Conflict: How Disagreement on Values Affects Self-Involvement and Perceived Common
Ground. SSRN Electronic Journal, 3(2), 23-29. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1873145