It’s Your Decision
Unit 2: Decision MakingChapter 5 (CL)
Interpersonal Studies
Unit ObjectivesSummarize the decision-making
processDiscuss the consequences and
responsibilities of decisionsEvaluate 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 ImportanceSome 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 GoalsShort-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
1. Identify the goal.2. Assess whether the goal is
something you really want.3. Make a plan for achieving the goal.4. Write down your action plan for
achieving the goal.5. Every once in a while, reevaluate
your goals.
Short Film “Prodigy”http://www.responsibilityproject.c
om/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 DecisionsYou must first have a positive
self-concept.You must have confidence in
your ability to make responsible decisions.
Develop critical-thinking skillsBecoming an adult means
accepting the responsibility for making decisions that will benefit you, your family, and society.
Making Decisions
Decision the act or process of
deciding choosing between
alternativessomething that is decided
Types of DecisionsMinor 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 DecisionsMajor 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 ActivityHow 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 ProcessDecision-Making Process – method of making decisions and solving problems in a step-by-step process
Steps in the Decision-Making Process
1. Identify the decision to be made or the problem to be solved.
2. List all possible alternatives.
3. Choose the best alternative.
4. Act on the decision.
5. Evaluate the decision.
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
Rock, paper, scissors
Drawing straws
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
Planned A logical method is used; all available
information is collected, and the facts are weighed
• Overwhelmed– You are unable to make an
effective decision; you are too confused to make a deliberate decision
Decision-Making StrategiesIf 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