Final answer:
The term 'value laden' indicates that something is influenced by personal values, biases, or beliefs and is not neutral. It is relevant to social research, media discussion, and policies, illustrating how personal and cultural norms affect views and behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term value laden refers to something that is influenced by or full of personal values, biases, or ideological beliefs. In other words, when a statement, practice, or policy is described as being value laden, it means that it is not neutral and contains judgements based on a particular set of values. This is often discussed within social research, ethics, or discussions of media and culture, where an objective viewpoint is desired but personal beliefs and cultural norms inevitably color perception and behavior.
For example, if a historian writes about a historical event with strong words of praise or blame, their account can be said to be value laden, because their interpretation is shaped by their personal assessment of what is right or wrong. Similarly, a public policy that aims to prioritize certain societal goals over others can be described as value laden, as it reflects the values of those who have crafted it.