Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Practice Test

The term that describes shared beliefs about what is good or bad, right or wrong is "values." Values are fundamental beliefs that guide behavior and decision-making within a community or society. They serve as a foundation for the moral principles that individuals and groups adhere to, influencing judgments about actions and choices in various contexts.

While culture encompasses the broader set of practices, beliefs, and artifacts that characterize a particular group, it includes values as one of its components. Ethics refers specifically to the principles that govern behavior in terms of right and wrong, often informed by the values of a particular society. Norms are the expectations or rules that dictate how individuals behave in specific situations, closely tied to the values of a culture. Therefore, values are the underlying principles that shape both ethics and norms, making them the most appropriate choice for this definition.