Chapter 6 Decision Making

 

Chapter 6 Decision Making

Choices are the hinges of destiny- Edwin Markham

6.1 Introduction

Dear students, decision making is an ability of an individual to make a choice among all the possible alternatives. It is not just a random choice making, but it is based on rational thinking about each alternative.

Sr. No.	Whenever I make a decision. . .	Always	Sometimes	Never
1.	I analyse the problem before taking an action.
2.	I search for various solutions to solve the problem.
3.	I look for all the positive and negative aspects of all the solutions.
4.	I discuss about the choices/solutions with my parents and friends.
5.	I try to gather thorough information about each choice/solution.
6.	I compare all the solutions/choices before finalising it.
7.	I think about the results of the previous decisions made before making a new decision.
8.	I change my decision on the basis of the negative results of the previous decisions.
	Total Scores

 

 

 

Let's check our decision making ability with the help of the following statements.

 

 

 

Scoring

Way to find my level in decision making:

Let's find our level: Never-1, Sometimes-2, Always-3

Sr. No.	Score	Level of decision making ability	Tick your level
1	8-12	Lower decision making ability
2	13-19	Medium decision making ability
3	20-24	Higher decision making ability

 

I scored_____________marks in decision making ability. From the above serial number 1 to 8, I need to take care of the following points while making a decision.

1. _____________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________

Dear students, discuss with your teacher about the need and importance of good decision making in everyday life.

Activity Time

You all are going for a school picnic in the summer vacation. The bus stops in a forest and doesn't start. The bus conductor tells that the bus is out of order and you all have to cross the forest on foot. The forest is very dense and you all have to walk a lot to cross it. You have ten minutes to choose any four items amongst all. Give reasons for your choice.

Pictures of the items

                                                       

Water Bottle               Match Box                    Blanket            Mosquito Repellent

 

                                           

Compass           Toffees                        Knife          Gardening instruments

 

 Watering pipe

 

Selected items and its reason:

i) _________________________________________________________________

ii) ____________________________________________________________

iii) _______________________________________________________________

iv) _______________________________________________________________

Introspection and Self- Analysis

Discuss your choices with other students in the class and find out where your decisions are correct or not. If you find your decisions incorrect, write down what mistakes you committed while making a choice and how can it can be improved?

 

Mistakes	How can you correct your mistakes?
1.	1.
2.	2.
3.	3.
4.	4.

 

 

6.3 Read the situation

During recess, you saw your best friend taking something from Ravi's bag. Your friend didn't notice that you have seen him/her. After lunch, the teacher announces in the class that someone has stolen money from Ravi's bag. What will you do?

1. What is the problem?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What choices do you have?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What are the consequences of each choice?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Which choice has more weightage and why?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What is your decision?

___________________________________________________________________

6. Do you think you made a correct decision? Why?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Circle of decision making

Imagine in another situation, you and your friend are alone at your friend's house. Your friend goes to his/her parent's room and takes a cigarette out of his/her father's almirah and start smoking. He/she offers you a cigarette. What will you do?

To solve this problem, fill the circle of decision making. It will help you to make good decisions in your life. Whenever you have to make some important decision or you are confused between right and wrong, fill all the six regions of the circle, and you will reach the right decision.

 

1. Problem

2. Various Choices

3. Their consequences

4. Which choice is the best?

5. Final decision

6. Was the decision right?

 

6.4 Think and Write

1 .Write down the importance or need of making good decisions in everyday life

i) ________________________________________________________________

ii) _________________________________________________________________

iii) ________________________________________________________________

iv) ________________________________________________________________

v) _________________________________________________________________

2. Rearrange the given steps, to be followed while making a good decision.

i) Review the decision.                               a) ______________________________

ii) Analysis of the problem.                       b) ______________________________

iii) Weighing all the solutions or choices.   c) ____________________________

iv) Identify all the solutions or choices.      d) ______________________________                 

v) Take action.                                                  e) ______________________________

vi) Gather information.                                  f) ______________________________

vii) Choose among the solutions or choices. g) ____________________________

 

Self-Determination

Enlist the ways in which you can improve your decision making skills.

i) _________________________________________________________________

ii) ________________________________________________________________

iii) ________________________________________________________________

iv) ________________________________________________________________

v) _________________________________________________________________

 

Special suggestions from the teacher to the student