Safeguarding the future conference - Canberra, 23-24 May 2024

Culturally Valued Analogues and the Conservatism Corollary

In this presentation, John Armstrong describes the Culturally Valued Analogue and the Conservatism Corollary

Culturally Valued Analogues (CVA) and the Conservatism Corollary are themes of Social Role Valorisation (SRV) theory.

Culturally Valued Analogues

The term ‘culturally valued analogue’ (CVA) comes from the theory of Social Role Valorisation. It refers to those ways and means that people with a valued status use to meet their needs. These ways and means are typical and familiar, even expected for people with a valued status.

Marginalised people often have their needs met in very different ways: in segregated educational settings, group homes, and segregated, disability-specific employment settings.

The Conservatism Corollary

The Conservatism Corollary can also be thought of as the ‘Concept of Positive Compensation for Devalued Status’.  Wolf Wolfensberger, who developed Social Role Valorisation theory, described this as a way to positively compensate for a party’s impairment, devalued status, or heightened vulnerability to develop a more valued status for devalued people.

In this presentation, John Armstrong describes both of these theories. This presentation was recorded during a Social Role Valorisation Peer Group meeting in August 2023.

Meet John Armstrong

John armstrong speaking into microphone while presenting on stageJohn Armstrong has worked with people and families of people with a disability for over 40 years. He has worked as a trainer and consultant across many settings with individuals, families and agencies throughout Australia and New Zealand.

John is one of only two Senior Trainers of SRV (Social Role Valorisation) in Australia. He has presented on the topic of SRV in many international forums. He contributed two chapters of the recently-published book: Aging and the Good Things of Life: The Application of Social Role Valorization to Supporting People as They Age.