Chapter 2 – Making Good decisions Lesson 1 – You are a decision Maker

Words to Know & Main Idea You will know / be able too…. Describe what a good decision is Identify three things that can influence your decision making Explain the difference between positive, neutral, and negative consequnces. Words to know Good Decision Consequence

What would you do…. It was Marcia’s worst fear. While taking a test, Marcia saw two friends sharing answers. She knows if she tells the teacher, her friends will hate her. But if she keeps quiet, she’ll hate herself. What should she do? What would you ?

What is a good decision? A decision in which you carefully considered the outcome of each choice. Good decisions are responsible decisions. Decisions you will be proud of. It is a choice made by you and only you

What influences your decisions? There are many influences in your life. An influence is something or someone that makes you want to choose one thing over another. Your friends, family, and even the media can influence your decisions. You want to have positive influences around you.

What are the consequences of your decisions? When you make a decision, there is a result. A consequence is the result of an action you take. Smoking a cigarette one time - Coughing is a short-term consequence Continue to smoke for your life – Developing a long-term disease is a long-term consequence. Positive consequences help you or other people. Negative consequences do harm you or other people. Neutral consequences neither help nor hut you or other people.

Let’s Review In your own words, explain what a good decision is. Define the term consequences and give an example of a short-term consequence and a long-term consequence. Explain the difference between positive, neutral and negative consequences. List three people or things that are important influences in your life. How do these people or things influence you?

Decisions and Consequences At your tables, list some decisions that you made recently. Describe anything that happened as a result of your decisions. Pick out the consequences, and tell me whether they would be considered positive, neutral or negative

Lesson 2 – Six Simple Steps to Good Decisions You will: Identify six steps useful in making good decisions. Describe how your values are influences on your decisions. Explain the importance of predicting consequnces Words to Know Values Option Brainstorming

What would you do? Tom hoped that he passes his science class. But when he opened his report card, his hoped were dashed. He decided right than to study and work harder. Tom is now determined to improve his grade. Have you ever had a situation like this? Or something similar? What did you do ? Would you try harder or give up ?

Identify the Problem Identifying the problem can be the most difficult step in making a decision. For exampled: What problems do you face when a friend offers you a drink of alcohol? When you know the real problem, you can begin to figure out what your decision will be and what to make.

Consider your Values The next step to making a good decision is to think about how your values relate to the problem. Values are beliefs that you consider to be of great importance. Good values include honest and responsibility. Values come from your tradition, culture, background and religion. Values can help you develop a good character. A character is the way a person thinks, feels and act.

List the Options There is always more than one way to solve a problem. An option is one of several choices that you can make. The best way to list all of your options is by brainstorming Brainstorming is thinking of all the possible ways to carry out your decision.

Weigh the Consequences You have listed your options. Now decide which option is best. To do this picture what would happen if you chose each option. You must predict the consequences of each option, which consequences are good? Which consequences are bad? Which consequence have the best result? Answering these questions will help you make good decisions.

Decide and Act You’ve thought through your options and weighed the consequences. Think about which option will bring about the best consequence for you and for others. Choose the option that represents your values. Take time to choose wisely. Sometimes doing what you believe in will make your friends angry with you. Remember that no matter which option you choose, the option is something that you have thought about and acted on with best intentions.

Evaluate your Choice What would you do if you made a choice and your friends made fun of you? Did you make a bad decision? After all, your friends laughed at you and you felt really dumb ! Did you feel good about your choice? If the answer is yes, than you made a good decision. If the answer is no, you can always learn from your mistakes. Think about what you would do differently next time.

Health Journal Evaluate a decision that you made recently. List the pros and cons of your choice. Would you make the same choice next time? Explain why you must predict the consequences of your decisions.