Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsChapter 6

Objectives

Analyze influences on people’s choices

Explain how choices impact you and others

Demonstrate the decision-making process

Identify the characteristics of practical problems

Apply methods for solving practical problems

Key Terms

Proactive

Ethics

Media

Decision-making process

Practical problem

Context

Practical reason

Decisions and Problems

We make decisions every day.

What to wear

What to eat

Some are easy while others are hard.

You are more likely to make good choices if you are proactive and accept responsibilities.

Proactive – anticipate future decisions or problems and take action.

Influences on Choices

Attitude – how do you act when confronted with a decision?

Emotions – have you ever made a decision on impulse?

Values, goals, and priorities – foundation on which wise choices are made.

Ethics – principles and values that guide the way you live.

Influences on Choices

Family – guided your development, taught you values, and modeled ways to make decisions and solve problems.

Peers – influence your choices.

Media – channels of mass communication.

Society and culture – family, peers, and media.

Economic factors – financial resources

Cultural Influence on Decisions

How do these affect your decision?

Cultural traditions

Religious beliefs

Societal expectations

Current trends

Impact of Choices

Every choice has a consequence.

What does consequence mean?

Some consequences happen immediately, others take a while.

Consequences can be positive, negative or a combination of both.

It’s easy to overlook consequences on others.

Consider the impact of your decisions on others will help you make better choices.

Activity: Predicting Consequences

Kyle puts off getting a haircut until he doesn’t have time to get one before an interview.

Laura saves 50% of her paycheck each week to buy a car.

LaKeysha makes plans for the weekend without telling her family.

The Decision-Making Process

1. Identify the decision to be made

2. List possible options

3. Evaluate the pros and cons of each option

4. Make a choice

5. Act on your decision

6. Evaluate your choice

What should a person consider when evaluating possible options?

Practical Problems

Practical problem – a complex situation that has many aspects and involves making several interrelated choices.

Require thinking about values and ethics, not just facts.

Characteristics of Practical Problems

Practical problems are complex

Practical problems have unique circumstances

Practical problems affect others

Practical problems involve ethical choices

Practical problems require action

Give an example of a practical problem.

Ethical Decision Test

What would happen if everyone made this choice?

What would happen if I were the person being affected by this choice?

What would happen if my circumstances were slightly different and I made this choice?

Which choice will have the most positive consequences for the most people involved?

Examining Practical Problems

Context – refers to all the conditions surrounding the problem or situation

Desired ends – what is the desired outcome

Means – the methods that are used to reach the outcome

Consequences – the action taken that will affect you and others.

The REASON Process

Recognize the primary problem

Evaluate information

Analyze alternatives and consequences

Select the best choice

Outline and take action

Note the results of actions taken

Recognize the Primary Problem

A practical problem may involve several issues that are all tangled together.

Identify the main issue or root cause.

Evaluate Information

Think about what information you need to solve the problem.

Analyze Alternatives and Consequences

What options do I have?

What are the long-term consequences?

What are the short-term consequences?

Consider both positive and negative consequences.

Select the Best Choice

There may be more than one possible solution.

What is the BEST or WISEST decision?

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or one.”

Outline and Take Action

Once you have chosen an option, create a step-by-step plan to solve the problem.

Identify and gather resources needed to carry out the plan

Note the Results of Actions Taken

Look back on the actions taken. Did you get the results you expected?

If not think what you could do differently to achieve a better result