ACT Values Clarification & Committed Action Flashcards

In ACT, 'values' are best defined as:

Answer: Freely chosen directions that give life meaning and guide behavior

ACT defines values as chosen life directions—ongoing qualities of action that give meaning and purpose, distinct from goals which can be completed.

Which of the following is an example of a value (rather than a goal) in ACT terms?

Answer: Being a caring and present parent

Being a caring and present parent is a value—an ongoing direction—while getting a promotion, completing a race, and saving money are specific, achievable goals.

The ACT 'Tombstone Exercise' or 'Eulogy Exercise' is primarily used to:

Answer: Elicit core values by reflecting on how one wants to be remembered

This exercise invites clients to consider how they want to be remembered or what they want their life to have stood for, revealing deeply held values.

In ACT, 'valued living' is distinguished from 'goal achievement' because:

Answer: Values provide continuous direction while goals are finite endpoints

Goals are achievable milestones along a values-directed path; values themselves are never 'completed' and provide ongoing direction for living.

When a client's stated values appear to be driven by social pressure rather than personal choice, an ACT consultant should:

Answer: Explore whether the values are truly chosen or represent compliance

ACT emphasizes freely chosen values; a consultant explores whether stated values reflect genuine personal choice or social compliance/avoidance, without imposing values.

The ACT 'Bull's Eye' exercise is used to help clients:

Answer: Assess how closely their current behavior aligns with their values across life domains

The Bull's Eye exercise maps clients' current behavior against their values in domains like work, relationships, health, and personal growth, visually identifying gaps.