Unit 2: Decision Making Chapter 5 (CL) Interpersonal Studies It’s Your Decision Unit 2: Decision Making Chapter 5 (CL) Interpersonal Studies

Unit Objectives Summarize the decision-making process Discuss the consequences and responsibilities of decisions Evaluate the affect of decisions on health, well-being, family, interpersonal relationships, employment, and society as a whole

Your Personal Priorities To make the best decisions, you need to know yourself – especially your personal priorities. Your personal priorities will influence the decisions you make. They will also influence the goals and standards you set for your life.

What Are Personal Priorities? Personal priorities – are the principles, concepts (ideas), and beliefs that are most important to you. Love Knowledge Friendship Honesty Religion Health You may feel strongly about some vs. others Become a part of your personality They affect your behavior

How Are Personal Priorities Formed?

How Personal Priorities Influence Decisions Knowing your personal priorities can help you avoid potentially dangerous situations. Your priorities will help you weigh the options you have in many areas involving behavior. You will find it easier to say no when you sense your priorities are being compromised.

Personal Priorities Change in Importance Some personal priorities, such as honesty, integrity, and compassion, may always be a factor no matter the age. Your personal priorities will vary in importance at different stages of your life.

Setting Your Goals Short-term goals – reachable in the near future (the next hour, day, or week) Long-term goals – goals you hope to achieve next year or several years from now

Five Steps to a Goal Identify the goal. Assess whether the goal is something you really want. Make a plan for achieving the goal. Write down your action plan for achieving the goal. Every once in a while, reevaluate your goals.

Short Film “Prodigy” http://www.responsibilityproject.com/films/prodigy#fbid=HhrZ4o-ymHE Predict what you think will happen.

Making Decisions Your decisions… should reflect your personal priorities. should also be based on your goals. will be influenced by your standards.

Making Decisions You must first have a positive self-concept. You must have confidence in your ability to make responsible decisions. Develop critical-thinking skills Becoming an adult means accepting the responsibility for making decisions that will benefit you, your family, and society.

Decision Making Decisions choosing between alternatives the act or process of deciding choosing between alternatives something that is decided

Types of Decisions Minor Decisions Made on a regular basis Do not require much thought Important at the time but will probably not have much impact on the future Example: whether to have cereal or toast for breakfast

Types of Decisions Major Decisions Require much thought and time May be difficult to make May have long-term effects Example: whether to go to college or join a branch of the military

Major or Minor What clothes to wear to school Whether to skip class with friends To do or not do homework To go out drinking with friends What to eat for lunch When to go to bed What courses to take next semester

Class Activity How many decisions do you make in an average day? Write down everything you have done today or the yesterday (i.e. get out of bed, brush teeth, ride the bus). Who/what influenced your decisions? Where you surprised at the amount of decisions that were made? Where the decisions you made minor/major?

Ways to Make Decisions Some decisions are simply habits. Some people depend on their common sense to make decisions. they consider the consequences for each option they choose the solution they think will have the best results with the fewest complications Some people use intuition to solve problems. They follow their instincts/feelings Others base their decisions on past experiences Some decisions may be made by applying lessons learned as result of parental guidance

The Decision-Making Process Decision-Making Process – method of making decisions and solving problems in a step-by-step process

Steps in the Decision-Making Process 5. Evaluate the decision. 4. Act on the decision. 3. Choose the best alternative. 2. List all possible alternatives. 1. Identify the decision to be made or the problem to be solved. 22

Steps in the Decision-Making Process 1. Identify the decision to be made or the problem to be solved. Be specific. Don’t get bogged down making an irrelevant decision.

Steps in the Decision-Making Process 2. List all positive alternatives. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative? What are the consequences of each alternative?

Steps in the Decision-Making Process 3. Choose the best alternative. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative? What are the consequences of each alternative?

Steps in the Decision-Making Process 4. Act on the decision. Put it into action. Give full commitment and time to the decision.

Steps in the Decision-Making Process 5. Evaluate the decision. Ask yourself: Am I comfortable with the decision? Was the right decision made? Could the situation be improved in any way? Are there additional alternatives that need to be considered?

Group Discussion/Activity How do people make decisions? Would these methods be used to make major or minor decisions? Flipping a coin Drawing straws Rock, paper, scissors

Decision-Making Strategies On Impulse Choose the first alternative with little thought or examination It’s in the Stars Let the environment decide for you; it is up to fate

Decision-Making Strategies Decision by Default Someone else decides for you; you only carry out or accept the decision On Hold Postpone making a decision by refusing to think about it or by not acting; you make a decision by not deciding

Decision-Making Strategies Overwhelmed You are unable to make an effective decision; you are too confused to make a deliberate decision Planned A logical method is used; all available information is collected, and the facts are weighed

Decision-Making Strategies If It Feels Good You “feel” that an option is the best one without studying it; the decision is based on a hunch Least Resistance You choose the option which will result in the least conflict; the easy way out