Dr. Leon Pomeroy finds it necessary to Hypothesize three levels of valuation forming a valuational cascade in cognitive space (Mind) dedicated to value-vision and the formation of beliefs and belief systems. His Values Research Integrates the Hartmanian Mathematical Model of Value and Moral Phenomena with Ellisonian & Modern Cognitive Psychology Clearing a Path for New Thinking in the Field of Psychology, and All the Social Sciences, in the 21st Century! In this work we Have the Fulfillment of the Modern Project of Grounding Morals in Science Resulting in Today's Great Conversation Concerning Mind...The Value and Moral Reality and Dimensions of Which Have Been so Tragically Neglected by Psychology and Medicine in Modern Times!   

1. Microvaluation

2. Mesovaluation

3. Macrovaluation

1. Microvaluation has everything to do with day to day attitudes and values. Psychologists like Allport, Kohlberg and Rokeach worked at this level of values research. Rokeach pioneered methodology to monitor this level of value abstraction. At this end point of value-abstraction we experience the relatively concrete valuation that grabs our attention. For example, everyone has encountered the notion of an "attitude problem" in the course of getting on with others. In general value abstraction we begin with an abstract macrovaluation, passing through a stage of mesovaluation (where it is shaped by other influences), and ending up with recognizable microvaluation. This cascade moves from the highly abstract to the more concrete. I also refer to microvaluation as Rokeach Valuation after Professor Rokeach who devoted years to the study of instrumental-terminal valuation. Behavioral Axiology is an approach to values measurement, values appreciation and values clarification specializing in the study of stem-value formations and protovaluations that make up the level we call macrovaluation. This is the level measured by HVP-PIV methodology.

2. Mesovaluation has everything to do with other influences on valuation, value abstraction, and the valuational cascade!

It is a valuational nodal point or stage along this continuum that is especially sensitive to other modulating or shaping influences. Mesovaluational modulates macrovaluational picked up indirectly by the HVP-PIV methodology I am introducing here.

3. Macrovaluation is directly monitored by the HVP-PIV. This is the level of generative protovaluation or generative stem-valuation. Dynamisms at this level exist in three dimensions. Here are broad-band, anticipatory valuational responses that are more diffuse than concrete. It is more a distal mind set as opposed to a proximal mind set! A physical analogy might be found in astronomy where a diffuse "plasma" undergoes condensations to form a matter. If there is a "plasma" phenomena in cognitive space then we might expect condensations forming the macrovaluation lenses. The optical metaphor is popular. It appears in philosophical writing since the ancient Greeks. At the level of macrovaluation we have three structures:  I-Value Vision; E-Value Vision; and S-Value Vision. I discuss them elsewhere. These structures are also known as "dimensions"; "cognitive condensations" or "cognitive lenses" dedicated to valuational information processing. Specifically, theory defines three macrovaluational dimensions and our validity studies focus on these dimensions. Our factor analysis of the HVP reveals three strong dimensions and a weak fourth dimension. These data confirm the HVP-PIV is doing what theory says it does.

The HVP-PIV findings are so rich and productive that I am forced to develop a precision language, a form of techno-speak if you will, just to embrace the phenomena. As with all sciences, we need a precision language of our own. We identify the three dimensions as I-Value Vision; E-Value Vision and S-Value Vision after Hartman’s original designation of Intrinsic (I), Extrinsic (E) and Systemic (S) valuation. These three dimensions of value give us an alphabet of three letters whose combinations and permutations generate downstream valuational phenomena such as mesovaluation and microvaluation. Thus, I, E, and S Value Vision Dynamisms become the "building blocks" or "stem structures" for the construction of attitudes, and terminal and instrumental value formations. These more fully evolved, more concrete microvaluational structures admit to varying degrees of plasticity or fluidity. Our emotions and motivations are habits that become internalized, and alive within use through usage. Emotions and motivations are also associated with "Rokeach Elements"; i.e., elements of microvaluation having the signature qualities of means or ends and high degree of internalization. Self esteem is composed of valuations of self coming from the top and bottom  of valuational pyramids. Hierarchical subordination is the very essence of the pyramidal model of valuational phenomena and within such a structure the valuational cascade unfolds, aimed at self and world as revealed by descriptive cognitive processes. Our valuemetric procedures employing the HVP-PIV have proven especially sensitive to more generative, global, or stem stage of valuation upstream.

Nexus, Plexus, Interactions:

Microvaluation is focused or pointed valuation having purpose and goals. It is means-ends strategic valuation; or, terminal-instrumental strategic valuation confirmed and studied by the late Professor Milton Rokeach of Michigan and California. I also call this level of value abstraction "Rokeach Valuation". It is a concrete level of value abstraction and includes attitude structures. Attitudes are more plastic, fluid, changeable or reversible than values which are fixed and crystallized in some degree, depending on their location in the value cascade and depending on their interplay with other structures; e.g., self system. It takes a minimum of three (3) values or attitudes to trigger emotions, motivations or behaviors. There must be a coming together of valuation of the object, valuation of the context in which the object of interest exists (person, thing or event), and the simultaneous evaluation of the "self" in the total context.

I-Value Vision; E-Value Vision; and S-Value Vision are reactive tendencies; or, broad anticipatory responses. They are stem formations that come under other influences. They come together in various combinations and permutations that vary in plasticity. If the "self" is involved in the construction of a Value Vision Complex (I,E,S-Dynamism); the phenomena of existential crystallization and steady-state-crystallization comes into play. In spite of the complexity and pyramidal layers involved, the I, E, and S dimensions of macrovaluation have proven predictive due to their being nested within steady state phenomena. Cognitive steady state regulation (psychostasis or autopsychoregulation analogous to the homeostasis or autobioregulation of Walter Canon and Claude Bernard respectively in the field of physiology) confers stability and consistency in cognitive space thus facilitating valuemetrics, as well as traditional psychometrics.

As suggested previously, we must invent a new vocabulary, or precision language, in our work because of the rich yield of our theory and our HVP-PIV based valuemetrics. Every science has its own precision language and Behavioral Axiology is no exception! With the HVP-PIV we visit this level of valuation (macrovaluation), and these frequent visits have produced a richness of detail that can only be captured by a corresponding richness of language!

In conclusion, the I, E, and S dimensions of macrovaluation may or may not be cognitive lenses; may or may not be cognitive condensations, but they act that way. In any case we must conclude from our data and theory that they are significant dimensions of valuation and they are captured by our HVP-PIV methodology in the spirit of "Know-Thyself".

1. A Proven Theory and One That is Transformed by Our Work into An Empirical Value Science in which is Nested The Seeds of Moral Science   

2. A Proven HVP-PIV methodology; 

3. Assorted clinical, biomedical, cross-cultural, nominal; concurrent, and construct validity data, plus reliability data, and last but not least!

4. Over twenty years experience.

The Self and Dissociative Solutions:

How can we speak of values and morals without reference to "self esteem" operations? Behavioral Axiology makes much of this construct and Dr. Pomeroy is indebted to the work Nathaniel Branden has done with self esteem (See History). The construct of self esteem has placed a human "face" on cognitive psychology in general and value- centric cognitive psychology (Behavioral Axiology) in particular. Self esteem involves psychological steady states and it was my study of biology that gave me a great appreciation of the works of Claude Bernard in France and Walter Canon in the United States. It seemed natural to me to extrapolate their concepts of autobioregulation and homeostasis to the world of cognitive operations.

Central to self esteem and all cognitive self-operations of all sorts is the maintenance of the subjective sense of the adequate, competent self and of the familiar self. These existential set points operate within the framework of a general search for meaning that Victor Frankl has written into the chapters of clinical psychology. All three existential sets points; namely, the maintenance of the sense of the 1. familiar self; 2. the sense of the adequate competent self and 3, the search for meaning, significantly influence the dynamisms of I, E, and S Value Vision. This may be seen as a corticofugal or centrifugal influence, borrowing from neurophysiology. Such self-sponsored centrifugal influences diffusely shape the valuational cascade at the macrovaluational level (i.e., E, S, and S dynamisms). Other belief systems are thought to modulate or shape valuation at the nodal point we call mesovaluation. Microvaluation is semiautonomous, crystallized and difficult to influence because the die is cast, so to speak.

It is safe to conclude that there must be a co-play and counter-play among the three nodal points of value abstraction, along the valuational cascade (macrovaluation, mesovaluation, microvaluation). This would be in keeping with the self reflexive character of mental organization at all levels. The other universal structural element in mental organization is that of paired-opponent opposition. The force, counter-force principle! For example, because of free will we have to struggle with "good" and "evil"? My work defines these concepts with greater precision than history provides.

I have commented on the rich co-play and counter-play between upstream and downstream valuational dynamisms. Preventing chaos from erupting in all of this complexity, is the imposition of steady-state equilibriums at all levels and the imposition of subordination or hierarchical organization. We encounter this at the level of I-Value Vision > E-Value Vision > S-Value Vision (See History). The dominant influence in this regard comes from "self esteem" influences. The basic push of self is the relentless quest for the maintenance of the subjective sense of the adequate, competent self and the subjective sense of the familiar self, all nested within the flux of search for meaning! Steady state mechanisms and hierarchical subordination phenomena confer an appealing consistency and reliability to human behavior, emotions, motivations, personalities etc. This renders our traditional psychological testing and our alternative valuemetrics possible and rewarding! Valuational events that break out of such steady-states and hierarchical subordinations pose an immediate challenge to the "self". The latter has defensive mechanisms and can even anesthetized a dimension of Value Vision, wholly or partially if needed. Under more acute distress the "self" can split and go into various dissociative states, like a paramecium among the protozoa, sending the individual off into multiple personalities. Dissociation admits to degree and there is usually some degree of it in all of us, and much more among The Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSDs).

In summary, our valuational cascade may also be considered a continuum of value abstraction running from high (macrovaluation) to moderate (mesovaluation) to low (microvaluation) with recognizable strategic attitudes, values, and goals.

Examples of microvaluation would be "life is better than death"; "sanity is better than insanity"; "health is better than disease"; "honesty is the best policy", the "Ten Commandments" etc. Personisms, referred to elsewhere in our discussion (e.g., road rage attitudes born of the "intrusion" of others when driving) would be an example of microvaluation dominated by extrinsic or systemic value vision. Here the person in the other car is devalued and treated as a "thing" or as an "irritant" and his or her human qualities are totally suppressed or anesthetized by the emotional state of anger. Balance, sensitivity and hierarchical ordering of I, E and S are bent out of shape. For example we might have the reactive hierarchical formula E > S > I programming road rage. Or, we might have major imbalance such as I < E = S; or, I = E < S. Or, we might have the I under anesthesia or repression so that in road rage we have (E = S) > I. Or, we might have other assorted combinations or permutations of our Value Vision Lenses at the level of macrovaluation! If this seem complex, then so be it! Life has become complex!

The fundamental macrovaluational dimensions (dedicated cognitive lenses) are three in number and symbolized by the "letter" I for Intrinsic Value Vision; the "letter" E for Extrinsic Value Vision, and the "letter" S for Systemic Value Vision. I am repeating this for it bears on the service we offer.

These three cognitive lenses (dimensions) of valuation are products the selective pressures of evolution or God. They are cognitive structures (condensations) formed in response to the biosocial and psychosocial demands of adaptation and survival. Their formation and maintenance are hypothesized to be in obedience to the Natural Law of Conservation of Energy at this level of mental life. Our empirical validation studies, confirm three cognitive dynamisms or lenses dedicated to valuation and resulting in human emotions, motivations and behavior. Moral judgments can be broken down into a three dimensional valuational alphabet of I, E, S dimensions coming together in various combinations and permutations. This combinatorial calculus or phenomena yields value vision formulas (e.g., Given the formula "Base I to the exponent E", we read it as an Extrinsic Valuation of an Intrinsic Entity.) A clinical interpretation of this formula would read a psychotic person (or an angry person) is treating another person as a "thing". This would constitute a depersonalization and devaluation of a fellow human being. One does not have to be psychotic to behave this way. Anger will suffice. The former is a chronic mind set or state; whereas, the latter is a less frequent , more transient mind set or state (e.g., "road rage").

What We Measure:

The I, E, and S Value Vision elements themselves lack sharp focus e.g., they are not attitudinal dimensions and tend to be more fluid than attitudes which are seen at the microvaluational end of the valuational cascade. Our HVP-PIV methodology readily taps into these dimensions and scores them as to absolute sensitivity, balance, and hierarchical ordering. My work shows that we can measure these dedicated-lenses of value vision in a meaningful fashion; so as to earn HVP-PIV valuemetrics the designation of "The Ultimate Know Thyself Tool". Measuring these elements of macrovaluation with the HVP-PIV means recording their relative balance, which should approximate I = E = S; their hierarchical ordering (order of importance) which should approximate I > E > S; and their sensitivity as reflected in low scores.

Our present understanding is that these valuational lenses are products of nature and nurture: genetic codes and behavior codes respectively! The ratio of the behavior-code to genetic-code influences on the I, E, and S dimensions of Value Vision remains to be determined. 

Summary of Influences:

Among the more interesting influences shaping the relative sensitivity, relative balance, and absolute hierarchical ordering of these dimensional elements is that of "self influences". We humans are in the habit of valuing ourselves against performance, achievement or other such benchmarks. This gives rise to a subjective experience of varying degrees of "self esteem". Self-esteem admits to degree. The "self", the executive "me" in question, struggles to maintain a subjective sense of the adequate competent self and a subjective sense of the familiar self. The executive "self" can also selectively anesthetize one or more valuational dimension or lenses. I-Value Vision may be dominant in humanistic individuals. Psychotic individuals may reverse hierarchical ordering completely giving S > E > I. They suffer Value Vision Blindness. Angry individuals may reorder the dimensions ( E > I > S), and they may suffer a dimensional astigmatism so severe as to distort their personality, emotions and motivations on a temporary basis. This altered l, E, and S combinatorial dynamism may temporarily serve the "altered self," or produce an altered self, in some fashion the individual may come to regret. Clearly a stronger sense of self based on a better "knowledge of self" protects against such self defeating axiological distortions. All sciences evolve their own precision languages and Behavioral Axiology and Alternative Axiological Psychology are no exceptions.

Different I, E and S permutations and combinations are probably learned developmentally in response to role models and experience. This forms character.  Temperament is given by genetic codes and we see this dimension in babies. 

Conclusions:

In conclusion, the HVP-PIV taps into three forms of Value Vision (I-Vision; E-Vision and S-Vision) and provides useful "self information" in the spirit of "Know Thyself". The most important conclusions we’ll ever draw in life are those about ourselves. Here knowledge is power and ignorance can kill. We invite all who are interested in experiencing the "Ultimate Know Thyself Tool", for Value Vision clarification and appreciation and Stress Level Feedback (in the spirit of "Know Thyself" and "Personal Growth") to go to the HVP-PIV on this Web Site.

Our science of value, valuation and moral reasoning has the added benefit that no religious minority, no political minority, no ethnic minority, no cultural minority need feel threatened. Our approach is like reading, writing and arithmetic. Nobody can flunk the HVP-PIV. There are no right or wrong answers. It is, in our view, "The Ultimate Know Thyself Tool". All facts about self are friendly when they’re offered, and taken, in the spirit of "know thyself". A significant portion of knowing oneself takes place when we’re on friendly terms with our self defeating behavior, and when we’re not stuck anywhere, and values clarification helps.

Our "tool" is ethnically, religiously, culturally, neutral. Anyone, anywhere can use it. Learning to think more clearly about values (clarification and appreciation) is a culturally neutral tool that can benefit all people.

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                                                              Last Updated: 01/24/06