Life Orientation - Term 1 - Week 9

Decision making is a crucial skill that impacts our lives daily. It involves choosing between different options and considering the consequences of each choice. Effective decision-making requires critical thinking, self-awareness, and the ability to evaluate information. In this lesson, we will explore the steps involved in making informed decisions, including identifying the problem, gathering information, considering alternatives, weighing the consequences, and making a choice.

Let's consider a scenario: You have been invited to a party where you know there will be alcohol. You must decide whether to attend or not. First, identify the problem: attending may lead to peer pressure. Next, gather information: think about the risks of alcohol and your values. Consider alternatives: you could attend and stay sober, or decline the invitation. Weigh the consequences: attending might affect your health and friendships. Finally, make your decision based on your values and the information you've gathered.

In small groups, discuss the following scenario: You and your friends want to start a new club at school, but you have different ideas about its purpose. Use the decision-making steps to reach a consensus. Identify the problem, gather each person's ideas, consider the pros and cons of each idea, and agree on a final decision. Afterward, each group will present their decision-making process and the outcome to the class.

Reflect on a recent decision you made. Write a short paragraph describing the decision-making process you used. What steps did you follow? What were the outcomes? Based on this reflection, set a small goal for improving your decision-making skills. For example, you might aim to gather more information before making a choice or to consider the feelings of others involved in your decisions.

• Gather information
• Identify the problem
• Make a choice
• Weigh the consequences

Answer: Identify the problem

Identifying the problem is the first step as it sets the stage for the entire decision-making process.

• Consequences
• Personal values
• Peer pressure
• Random chance

Answer: Random chance

Random chance should not be a factor in decision-making; decisions should be based on thoughtful consideration.

Answer: Considering consequences helps us understand the potential outcomes of our choices and make informed decisions.

Understanding consequences allows us to weigh the risks and benefits of our decisions.

• Giving in to pressure
• Staying true to your values
• Ignoring your friends
• Avoiding all social situations

Answer: Staying true to your values

Making healthy choices involves adhering to your personal values, even in the face of peer pressure.

Answer: I had to choose between studying for an exam or going out with friends. I weighed the importance of my grades against my desire to socialize.

This response shows the application of the decision-making process in a real-life context.

• Identify the problem
• Consider alternatives
• Make a choice
• Reflect on the decision

Answer: Consider alternatives

After gathering information, the next step is to consider the different alternatives available.