Decisions, Section 1 Notes

Decisions Section 1

Introduction

  • Analyzing influences on people's decisions.
  • Describing the consequences of decision-making.
  • Listing the steps in the decision-making process.
  • Recommending steps to address consequences of poor decision-making.

How We Make Decisions

  • Consider various methods used in the past:
    • Seeking advice from friends or family.
    • Flipping a coin.
    • Weighing pros and cons.

Types of Decisions

  • Invitations/Daily Decisions:
    • Made frequently.
    • Require little to no thought.
    • Examples include what to wear or whether to have breakfast.
  • Impulse Decisions:
    • Quick decisions.
    • Require little thought or planning.
    • Example: Spontaneous weekend trip.
  • Big Decisions:
    • Life-changing decisions.
    • Examples: marriage, having a child, changing schools/cities/jobs.
    • Require a lot of thought.
    • Serious decisions with long-term commitments.
    • May involve consulting with others and using a structured decision-making process.
  • Important to differentiate between big and impulse decisions.

Factors Influencing Decisions

  • Internal Influences
    • External Influences
  • Influences can either promote or inhibit decision-making.
Internal Factors
  • Attitude:
    • How we perceive decision-making.
    • Do we view it as a threat or an opportunity?
  • Emotion:
    • Our emotional state when facing a decision (upset, excited, sad, angry).
    • The importance of controlling emotions to make rational decisions.
    • Example: Avoiding relationship decisions during arguments.
    • Consider consequences and the best outcome for all parties involved.
  • Values, Goals, and Objectives:
    • Keeping values, goals, and priorities in mind when making decisions.
    • Example: Resisting unhealthy invitations (alcohol, tobacco) to align with health goals.
  • Ethics:
    • The way we live our life and whether decisions align with our ethical standards.
    • Example: Evaluating whether spreading a rumor aligns with one's ethics.
External Factors
  • Family:
    • Influence from upbringing, parental advice, and experiences.
    • Example: Family influence on dietary choices.
  • Peers:
    • Positive and negative peer pressure.
    • Friends influencing decisions that may compromise health.
  • Media:
    • Influence from TV, radio, internet, and movies.
    • Impact on behavior, language, and style.
  • Society and Culture:
    • Influence from traditions, religious beliefs, societal expectations, and current trends.
    • Example: Giving up a seat on a bus for an elderly person based on societal expectations.
  • Economic Factors:
    • Impact of financial affordability on decisions.
    • Example: Deciding whether to buy a used or new car based on financial ability.

Impact of Decisions

  • Decisions are made every day and have consequences.
  • Consequences affect ourselves and others.
  • Impacts can be immediate or long-lasting.
    • Example: Immediate sickness from eating something too spicy.
    • Long-term health consequences from eating junk food.
  • Impacts can be positive, negative, or a combination.
    • Illustrative Example: Earning higher grades:
      • Decision: to study and get higher grades.
      • Consequences:
        • Less free time.
        • Happier parents (leading to benefits like borrowing a car or extended curfew).
        • Acceptance into an honors program.
      • Demonstration of how compromising some things can lead to gains in others.

Summary

  • We make decisions every day, both big and small.
  • Recognize the types of decisions and treat them accordingly.
  • Many factors influence decisions; keep these in mind, especially for big decisions.
  • Every decision has an impact on ourselves and others.
  • The impact can be short-term and long-term.