CHAPTER 4-DECISION MAKING

1.Routine Decisions are decisions made everyday without much thought. What are some examples? -Brushing teeth -Getting out of bed -Wearing clothes 2.Planned Decisions require you to use more time and energy to make the best choice. What are some examples? -Career Changes -Expensive purchase

The decisions an individual makes are influenced by the following factors: Mental maturity Values Goals Standards Resources

MENTAL MATURITY Evidence of Mature Thinking Skills: Thinks about abstract ideas Uses logical reasoning to draw conclusions Projects through about the future Predicts possible outcomes Compare ideas and think about which outcome might be best Growing up also brings experiences. You can use past information to think through your decisions and identify possible outcomes.

YOUR VALUES Values are all the ideals and beliefs that are important to you. The values you consider important will influence the decisions you make and the actions you take. Who influences your values? -Society, Culture around you, family..???

1. Societal Values: Democracy, freedom of religion and speech, and freedom from fear and want. These are values influenced by the society that you live in. 2.Group Values: People within a society have group values that are considered important by everyone in that group. Example??? Identify some societal, cultural and family values evident in your school.

IDENTIFYING YOUR VALUES Identifying your values and being able to place then into the categories of personal, relationship or work values is helpful when making decisions. 1.Personal Values: What is highly important to you as an individual? Individuals may have similar personal values but they are interpreted differently. Example: Physical attractiveness may be different than your friend’s idea. 2.Relationship Values: What is important to you in relationships? Your values vary depending on the kind of relationship. Relationships should value giving and receiving. What are some values that you have for your family relationship? Intimate relationships? Friendships? 3.Work values: What are your expectations for work? Work is defined as any mental or physical activity to produce or accomplish something. Work affects an individual’s identity and self-esteem. What values might be important for success on the job?

RANKING YOUR VALUES Activity: Cut out ten small strips of paper and use the values list. Read through the list and write down your top ten values. Be prepared to explain and defend your values.

YOUR GOALS Your values can help you set goals. 1.Goals: something you want to have or achieve. 2.Short Term Goal: a goal that you planned for the near future. Example? 3.Long Term Goal: a plan that will take longer to complete. Example? 4.Subgoal: is a step leading towards a long-term goal. Subgoals can help you keep a positive attitude as you work toward a long-term goal. As you reach each step, you will feel more confident about your ability to reach your long-term goal. 5. Obstacles: is something that stands in the way as you try to reach a goal. Your most important values can help you identify the goals that you should work on first. Working on all goals at one time is difficult.

YOUR STANDARDS 1.Standards: can help you measure your progress towards a goal. They help you identify what is and what is not acceptable to you.  Some standards are easy to measure while others may be more difficult to determine.  Differences in personal standards may cause conflict. Example: your standards conflicting with your parents.

YOUR RESOURCES 1.Resources: anything available to help you carry out your decisions.  Human resources come from within a person.  Nonhuman resources is any item you have available to help you such as money, a car, tools, time and information.  Some decisions require several resources. 2.Managing Resources: using your resources wisely.  Be aware of the resources you have and how they might be developed  Planning will help you use each resource in a way that will benefit you.

DECISION MAKING PROCESS 1.Identify the Issue 2.Identify the Alternatives  A choice is called an alternative  At least two choices must exist before a person is faced with making a decision. 3.Consider each alternative  List the Pros and Cons for each alternative  Consider the consequences as the end result of your choice 4.Make the decision 5.Carry out the decision 6.Evaluate the decision  The decisions you make should help you reach your life goal