Identify your own values as they pertain to the conflict.

Values often drive the frames we use in the context of conflict situations, and identifying these values can help you see how you frame particular groups, individuals, or processes.

Often, values exist in pairs, and are specific to one particular dimension of the conflict, or apply to a specific set of circumstances. For example, in general, I may value liberty. However, in a particular situation that involves creating land use regulations to plan for future growth and development, I may hold competing values of community integrity, conservation, preservation, or democracy (given that the majority of citizens in this case favor land use and zoning changes). In this specific case, I adhere to the latter values over liberty.

Create a list of your own values.

• Would you identify any particular values as being more important to you than others?
• Can you identify any "core" values that would be the most important of all of your values?
• Are there any situations where one or more of your values would be in conflict with each other?
• In what cases would these values be superceded by other, more important values?

Understanding your own values can aid you in discovering your frames as well as the frames of others.