In SIA we are interested in social behaviour that actually leads, or could
lead, to the acquisition or change of values and value orientations. Values
are defined as what people consider to be important: for instance, liberty,
equality and fraternity, or social justice. Value orientations reflect the attitude
that the actor shows with regard to a specific value. An actor may consider
social justice to be important, but may be willing to permit a certain
degree of social injustice in times of an economic crisis. Values are assumed
to be relatively stable as soon as they are acquired, value orientations may
vary considerably over time. Values are part of our preferences.