Social Valuation
« Back to Glossary IndexSocial valuation is the process by which the brain evaluates the personal and social significance of people, relationships, events, and choices. It helps us judge what is important, whom we trust, what deserves our attention, and how much value or meaning we assign to social experiences. Social valuation combines emotional, social, and personal information — including memories, goals, relationships, rewards, and moral values — to guide decisions and behavior. These evaluations influence whether we approach or avoid others, maintain relationships, protect ourselves, or change our views over time.
In forgiveness, social valuation helps determine whether a relationship remains important enough to preserve, repair, redefine, or let go. As people reconsider another person’s actions alongside their own values and priorities, the perceived meaning of the relationship may gradually change. It forms a triad, as follows:
- Perspective-taking helps us understand another person’s inner world.
- Coping helps us regulate our own emotional responses.
- Social valuation helps us decide what the relationship means and what we want to do next.
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