The first situation that occurred where I was able to identify my personal VABEs took place a couple of weekends ago. I was at a bar with a large group of my friends celebrating our mutual friend’s 21st birthday. We were obviously drinking alcoholic beverages and a friend of mine decided he was going to attempt to drive home. My personal values of not breaking the law or even putting other’s lives in danger, my assumptions that driving intoxicated implies danger for the driver and others, my association VABE or belief that “drunk driving” is bad, and my expectations of danger when people drive intoxicated all conflicted with my friend’s notion of driving to his apartment. The ultimate behavior that transpired from this VABE was aggression and perseverance to make this event not occur. I think this is because I felt so strongly through my VABEs that my friend driving home was not a good idea, let alone a dangerous one. My VABEs regarding this situation are so strong in my heart that I believe my aggression and perseverance in proving my point is well warranted and needed. The only thing I would change about my behavior and approach would be to express my VABEs earlier, allowing my friend to plan a ride home and be prepared for my reaction.
The second situation that occurred where I was able to identify my personal VABEs was at my Fraternity’s formal dinner last week. There was standard dinner conversation during the meal and a colleague of mine was chewing with his mouth open and talking with food in his mouth. This event triggered my personal VABEs; my personal values of