Decision Making ?

Objectives Objectives ? Objectives Objectives To determine influences on decisions To analyze the steps of the decision-making process

Decisions ? Decisions To make a DECISION means to arrive at a solution that ends uncertainty or a dispute means to select a course of action means to make a choice between two or more alternatives Decisions

Influences on Decisions ? Influences on Decisions Factors influencing decision making: Values Priorities Environment Peers Role Models Family Self-image Influences

Decision Making Strategies ? Decision Making Strategies Impulse – Go with first reaction 2. Escape – Avoid a decision or make up an answer to deflect an injury 3. Procrastination – Delay until someone else makes the decision or until the option disappears; actually deciding by default to do something

Decision Making Strategies ? Decision Making Strategies 4. Compliance – Let someone else decide; handing over control of your life 5. Agony – Consider every detail of every option over and over again 6. Play It Safe – Always choose the alternative with the lowest level of risk

Emotional Blocks Emotional Blocks ? Emotional Blocks Stagnation Fear of failure Fear of success Emotional Blocks

Decision Making Steps Steps ? Decision Making Steps Define the problem List all possible alternatives and consequences of each choice Select the best choice – depending on your values and priorities Act on your decision Evaluate your decision – determine if goal or decision was met Steps

Responsible Decision Making ? Responsible Decision Making Avoid impulse decisions Do not procrastinate Seek help when needed Consider potential results of decision Accept responsibility for decisions List alternative decisions before deciding Make a plan to guide you to a satisfying decision

? Planning Process Making a major decision usually causes anxiety. Risk is often involved and the potential to lose something in the process. However, as one goes through life, it is necessary to lose something in order to grow. A lobster must shed its shell to grow a new and larger shell. In the interim, the lobster is at greater risk from predators, but the shell must be replaced with a larger one if the lobster is to grow. As you make career and life decisions, be prepared to lose something in order to grow. Excerpt from, Training For Life: A Practical Guide to Career and Life Planning by Fred J. Hecklinger and Bernadette M. Black

Summary ? Summary Decisions are: One choice made from different alternative choices Commitment of resources that cannot be retrieved Controlled by decision maker Measured in terms of a good or bad decision by how well the process was used Summary

Quiz Quiz ? What are some factors in decision making? environment peers family self all of the above Quiz Answers: E. All of the above Slide 8 Define the problem List all possible alternatives and consequences of each choice Select the best choice – depending on your values and priorities Act on your decision Evaluate your decision – determine if the goal or decision was met 2. List the steps in the decision making process.

? Quiz Listed below are emotional blocks to decision making. Which one does not belong? self fear of failure stagnation fear of success Quiz Answers: 3. A. Self 4. C. Delay making a decision Procrastination is a decision making strategy to let someone else make the decisions consider every possible decision delay making a decision pick decision with the lowest level of risk

? Quiz Quiz 5. When making decisions, you should try to avoid listening to your impulses. a) true b) false Answers: 5. A. True 6. Slide 5 -Escape 6. “Don’t worry about it!” Valerie deflected when asked by her mom about her homework. This is an example of what decision making strategy?

? Acknowledgements The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences. Texas Tech University. http://www.hs.ttu.edu/ccfs Ulrich-Hagner, Linda, Margaret Andrews and Mary Stang-Cooke. Decisions in Action. 1988. Cincinnati: South-Western Publishing Co. Hecklinger, Fred J. and Bernadette M. Black. Training for Life: A Practical Guide to Career and Life Planning. 1994. Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co. Production Coordinators: Treena Aston Leah Richardson Production Manager: Geoff Scott Executive Producer: G.W. Davis © MMIII, MMIV CEV Multimedia, Ltd.