Values Clarification And Its Enlightening Effect On The Ideological And Moral Education

Values Clarification approach boomed in America in the1960s, when the social structure transformation and cultural diversification led to a collision of values, and the nation suffered from value confusion. Traditional moral education, especially the school moral education model was under great criticism. A diverse of social interests and values demanded a transformation in traditional moral education, thus new trends of moral education focused on values education were constantly emerging. In response to the Authoritarianism and inculcation methods in traditional education model, Values Clarification based its theory on Humanism Psychology, Existentialism and Dewey’s experiential education, and brought forward a whole package of creative and practical approaches on values education. Though not perfect, it became one of the mainstream moral schools of that time. China is now in the same transformational stage, and the Ideological and Moral Education is under great challenge.Through the study of Values Clarification approach we can find some enlightenment and inspiration for the Ideological and Moral Education.This paper begins with a study on Values Clarification Theory, and evaluates its position and significance in the whole American Education History. It gives a retrospect and detailed introduction on its generating background, developing stages, theory sources, major components, logic and approaches, and finally concludes that the positive aspects can contribute to the Ideological and Moral Education in our country in optimizing the education contents, education environment and education methods.