EXPLORATORY FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES



FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Developing Decision-Making Skills

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Gwinnett County Public Schools

Middle School

Family and Consumer Sciences

Revised 2007

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Developing Decision-Making Skills

Student Manual

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Gwinnett County Public Schools

Middle School

Family and Consumer Sciences

Revised 2007

Be sure to check each module for additional handouts that are not on CD.

Vocabulary Matching Worksheet Answer Key

‘Making Good Decisions’ crossword puzzle Answer Key

Decision-Making Word Search Answer Key

DEVELOPING DECISION-MAKING SKILLS

MODULE This module teaches students about decision-making skills. The module

SUMMARY covers reasons why groups of individuals make decisions, factors that affect decisions made by adolescents, the decision-making process, and the wants, needs, values, and goals that affect the decision-making process.

OBJECTIVES In this module the student will cover the following objectives:

1. define reasons groups and individuals make decisions,

2. analyze the factors that affect decision making,

3. identify basic kinds of decisions made by adolescents,

4. explain the effects of wants, needs, values, and goals during the decision-making process,

5. describe and discuss the steps in the decision-making process, and

6. apply the decision-making process to a personal decision.

AKS #30, 31, 35, 3 6, 37, 40, 41

ESSENTIAL 1. Explain the difference between major and routine decisions.

QUESTIONS 2. Explain how values and goals affect decisions.

3. Evaluate yourself as a decision maker and explain your reasoning.

MATERIALS/The following materials will be needed for students to perform the activities in this module:

EQUIPMENT Textbooks: Discovering Life Skills

Applying Life Skills

OJ Decision Making Software

Activity One

1. Complete the Pretest. This test does not count as part of your grade. The Pretest is only to help you measure how much you know about decision-making skills before you begin.

2. Review the following vocabulary words before you begin the module. When you find the words in the reading material, define them on your own paper.

Decision-making

Values

Goals

Wants

Needs

Resources

Alternatives

Short-term goals

Long-term goals

Consequences

Leadership

3. Read Chapter 6 – Managing Your Life, Discovering Life Skills Textbook, pp. 109 – 121

4. Copy and answer the following Study Questions on your own paper.

a. Name three things that influence your decisions.

b. When setting realistic goals, what are the five things that they should be in order to reached successfully?

c. Explain the difference between long-term and short-term goals.

d. Define the term trade-off. Give an example of a trade-off.

e. List the four steps to follow when setting goals.

5. Read the Information Sheet: Developing Decision-Making Skills.

PRETEST

Directions: The Pretest does NOT count as a grade, but will help you realize how much you've learned at the end of the module. Write your answers on your own paper.

1. Your values are what your parents feel are important.

a. True

b. False

2. When there is no alternative, there is no other choice.

a. True

b. False

3. Your decisions never affect others.

a. True

b. False

4. Things that are essential for your health and well being are .

a. values

b. wants

c. needs

d. goals

5. The aims you consciously try to reach are .

a. values

b. wants

c. needs

d. goals

6. The things you desire even though they are not essential are .

a. values

b. wants

c. needs

d. goals

PRETEST (PAGE 2 OF 2)

7. Habits are _____________ you make without thinking about them.

a. requirements

b. choices

c. schedules

d. to-do lists

8. Your _______________ in life will depend on your ability to make good decisions.

a. success

b. skills

c. abilities

d. social expertise

9. Many of the factors that influence your decisions come from your ____________ such as friends and family.

a. school

b. environment

c. brain

d. nutrition

10. Which of the following are steps in decision-making?

a. define the problem

b. brainstorm solutions

c. choose a solution

d. all of the above

Activity One Information Sheet

Developing Decision Making Skills (Page 1 of 2)

BASIC NEEDS

All of us have basic needs. Needs are things you and others must have in order to live. What are these basic needs? They are food, shelter, water, air, and clothes. We all have the desire to feel protected from danger and harm. There are other needs, which should be met also. These include emotional needs, mental needs, and physical needs.

WANTS

Wants are needs; they are things you would like to have, but are not needed for survival. Many young people and adults confuse wants with needs. (Often we convince ourselves into believing that we can’t make it without that want for something we want). Ask yourself, “Do I really need it? Do I need to buy it now or later?”

VALUES

Values are things that are important to you. Some values are common while others are self-centered. Example: common values shared by most people include: honesty, health, and family. Self-centered values include selecting your own shoes and watch, having your own car or your own apartment.

DECISIONS

Everyday you have choices to make that affect your life. These choices are called decisions.

TYPES OF DECISIONS

Sometimes people make decisions by responding to what has happened previously in a given situation. Often young people will try to arrive home on time from a game, the movies, or from a friend’s house so their parents will trust them.

MAKING DECISIONS

Many of your decisions will be major decisions while other may be routine ones. Something that might be considered as being routine might be deciding what movie or video to see or which cassette to purchase. Any of these decisions may become habits. Habits are choices you make without thinking about them.

MAJOR DECISIONS

Another type of decision, which takes much time and thought and can be difficult to make is a major decision. These decisions are not made often. For example, a young freshman entering high school has a big decision to make in regard to which courses to take and whether he or she should join a certain club or with whom to associate. Other examples of difficult decisions include whether to select a career or job or whether to go to college or a trade school.

IS DECISION-MAKING IMPORTANT?

Your success in life will depend on your ability to make good decisions. When you make decisions on your own, you develop a sense of independence. These decisions you make now will eventually affect you in the future.

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE YOUR DECISIONS

Many of the factors that influence your decisions come from your environment - such as family members, who think it necessary to guide you through your life experiences. Friends, as you grow, sometimes help you with decisions, thereby creating a strong outside force.

Resources affect our decisions throughout our life experiences. These resources might be skills, aptitudes, and possibly money. Value is another factor which affects decision making because it shows what you think is important. Needs are essential to your well being. Earlier we stated that food, shelter, and clothes are basic physical needs while wants are those things you desire even though they are not essential for your health or well being.

STEPS IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

1. Design the problem.

2. List your choices (alternatives).

3. Examine the choices.

4. Select the best choice.

5. Carry out the best decision.

6. Evaluate your decisions.

WILL OTHERS BE AFFECTED BY YOUR DECISIONS?

Sometimes your decisions affect others as well as yourself. Think through your choices and determine if the consequences of your choices are worth it. Try not to just think of yourself when these decisions are made; self-centeredness is not good.

Activity Two

1. Locate and read, Applying Life Skills, textbook Chapter 3, pp. 51 – 63. Complete Vocabulary Matching Worksheet part I and part II, on your own paper.

2. Go to a computer and click on the OJ icon titled “Decision Making.” Follow the directions provided on the screen. This program will be easier if you begin with the short tutorial. Print final page of the program activity and attached it to your module work.

3. Locate Discovering Life Skills textbook. Using Chapter 6, pp. 109 – 121. Complete the “Making Good Decisions” crossword puzzle using the clues provided.

Activity Two

Vocabulary Matching Worksheet

Part 1. Directions: Match the definitions in the right column to the vocabulary words you learned in Chapter 3, which are in the left column. Write the letter of the correct response to the corresponding number on your own paper.

__________ 1. Decision making A. A person who has influence over and guides a group.

__________ 2. Needs B. The act of making choices.

__________ 3. Wants C. The ability to lead.

__________ 4. Leader D. Things you desire, even though they aren’t essential.

__________ 5. Leadership E. Things essential to your survival and well-being.

Part II. Directions: Fill in each blank with a vocabulary word from the above list, on your own paper ( use the same sheet of paper used for the responses above).

1. One of my ___________________ is to get eight hours of sleep every night.

2. A successful _________________ must be able to work with all kinds of people.

3. Before I finish my ______________________ process, I need to have all of the facts so that I can determine a

choice fairly.

4. One of my _____________is to have a cell phone so that my friend can call me anytime.

5. The Student Council members need to have great ______________________ skills so that all people feel

Included and welcome in the group.

GOALS

The Aims You Consciously

Try to Reach

Values

Personal Ideals and Principles about What Makes Life Important and Worthwhile

Steps in Decision Making

1. Define the problem.

2. List your choices (alternatives).

3. Examine the choices.

4. Select the best choice.

5. Carry out the decision.

6. Evaluate your decisions.

Activity Three

1. Copy and answer the following study questions on your own paper.

a. Explain how goals and values affect decision-making.

b. List the steps in the decision-making process.

4. Choose one of the worksheets entitled “Group Decision-Making Case Study.” Follow the

instructions and complete the worksheet recording the answers on your own paper.

3. On your own paper, answer questions from “Decisions.” Answer quickly and honestly

without thinking too long. Answer with what would be your first response.

Activity Three

Group Decision-Making Case Study 1

Your family has just won $10,000.00. The rules of the contest specify that the money be spent on items that the entire family can use. The family must buy at least three items. The money must all be spent in one year and none of the money can be saved. List what your family would buy and explain the factors that influenced the decisions.

1. List the items your family would choose to purchase.

a. __________________________________________________________________

b. __________________________________________________________________

c. __________________________________________________________________

d. __________________________________________________________________

e. __________________________________________________________________

2. List the reasons you used in choosing which items to purchase for the family.

a. __________________________________________________________________

b. __________________________________________________________________

c. __________________________________________________________________

d. __________________________________________________________________

e. __________________________________________________________________

3. List all the factors that influenced the decisions you made.

a. ___________________________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________________________

c. ___________________________________________________________________

d. ___________________________________________________________________

e. ___________________________________________________________________

f. ___________________________________________________________________

g. ___________________________________________________________________

h. ___________________________________________________________________

Activity Three

Group Decision-Making Case Study 2

Your home is on fire and you have five minutes to get out of the house. Assume that all the people and pets in the household are safe. What five possessions would you want to rescue from the fire? Rank these possessions in order of importance.

1. List the five possessions you would rescue from the fire. Rank these possessions in order of importance.

a. ___________________________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________________________

c. ___________________________________________________________________

d. ___________________________________________________________________

e. ___________________________________________________________________

2. List the reasons you used in choosing which items to rescue from the fire.

a. ____________________________________________________________________

b. ____________________________________________________________________

c. ____________________________________________________________________

d. ____________________________________________________________________

e. ____________________________________________________________________

3. List all the factors that influenced the decisions you made.

a. ___________________________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________________________

c. ___________________________________________________________________

d. ___________________________________________________________________

e. ___________________________________________________________________

f. ___________________________________________________________________

g. ___________________________________________________________________

Activity Three

Decisions

Directions: Write your answers in your own paper.

1. Your best friend has asked you to go shopping and then return to his/her home to watch a movie. You learn that your friend’s parents will not be at home. Your parents do not want the two of you there alone. How do you decide what to do?

2. You have not completed a book report due soon. By chance, you find a completed, typed book report, which was dropped by accident at the bus stop. All you have to do is put your name on it and hand it in. How do you decide what to do?

3. You have heard some "gossip" about a friend who may be using alcohol and smoking marijuana. You want to help your friend, but you don’t know whether the gossip is true. How do you decide what to do?

4. A person asked you that you know only casually to carry a package to a nearby store. The person is acting somewhat mysteriously, and you are unsure about what to do. How do you decide what to do?

Activity Four

1. Locate and watch the video, “Attitude Alert”. Write down 10 notes on your own paper from this video. Title this paper Attitude Alert Notes.

2. Make your ‘cover sheet’ on your own paper. Put your name, class and student number in the right hand corner. Put the name of this module on the top line. Copy the list below. Staple all your work together. Paper clip your test sheet to the top.

Vocabulary

Activity One Study Questions

Activity Two Vocabulary Matching Worksheet

Activity Two Decision Making Computer Printout

Activity Two Making Good Decisions Crossword Puzzle

Activity Three Study Questions

Activity Three Group Decision – Making Case Study I or II

Activity Three Decisions Questions

Attitude Four Attitude Alert (10) Video Notes

Enrichment Activity (If time permits)

3. Complete Posttest on form provided.

Enrichment Activity: Locate the Decision – Making Word Search Worksheet. If time permits, complete the worksheet and turn in with your complete module work.

Post-Test

Directions: Answer the following questions on your post-test answer sheet. Bubble in the best answer.

1. The things you desire even though they are not essential are

a. goals.

b. wants.

c. needs.

d. values.

2. Things that are essential for your health and well-being are

a. values.

b. goals.

c. wants.

d. needs.

3. The aims you consciously try to reach are

a. values.

b. goals.

c. wants

d. needs.

4. Which of the following are steps in decision-making?

a. define the problem

b. choose a solution

c. brainstorm a solution

d. all of the above

5. Many of the factors that influence your decisions come from your __________ such as

friends and family.

a. school

b. nutrition

c. environment

d. pets

POST-TEST (PAGE 2 of 2)

6. Your _______________ in life will depend on your ability to make good decisions.

a. social expertise

b. abilities

c. skills

d. success

7. Habits are _____________ you make without thinking about them.

a. to-do lists

b. schedules

c. choices

d. requirements

8. Your decisions can affect others.

a. True

b. False

9. Your values are what your parents feel are important.

a. True

b. False

10. When there is no alternative, there is no other choice.

a. True

b. False

Answers to the Pre and Post test --- Developing Decision-Making Skills.

Pre test

1. B

2. A

3. B

4. C

5. D

6. B

7. B

8. A

9. B

10. D

Post test

1. B

2. D

3. B

4. D

5. C

6. D

7. C

8. A

9. B

10. A

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Enrichment Activity

Decision-Making Word Search

Directions: Each of the following sentences contains one of the key words involved in the decision- making process. Unscramble each term and then find it in the word search puzzle below. Look for the words spelled up and down, sideways, and diagonally. Good luck!

1.__________________________________________

You follow a EUCROPEDR when you make a decision.

2. ________________________________________

Some OSEICDIN-IAKMGN skills can be difficult to master.

3. ________________________________________

To make a decision you have to DNTEIYFI alternatives.

4. ________________________________________

You can apply a specific OEMHDT when making a decision.

5. ________________________________________

Your AUSVEL influence your decisions.

6. _________________________________________

Once you have DIDCDEE to do something, you may have to pay consequences.

7. _________________________________________

Sometimes you might MTTIIAE someone else; this is a way of making a decision.

8. _________________________________________

Choosing a career is a AJMOR decision; choosing an ice cream flavor is not.

9. _________________________________________

Before you can make a decision, you have to EIEDFN the problem.

10. _________________________________________

It is a good idea to TVLAAEEU the results of a decision, in case a similar situation comes up.

11. _________________________________________

Believe it or not, some of the decisions you make now will affect the LOGAS you have for the future.

12. _________________________________________

You need to XAENIEM your goals before you make your decisions.

13. ______________________________________

There are certain steps you can follow to make decisions. These steps make up a RESOPCS.

14. _______________________________________

If you suddenly decide to do something, you are following an MPLEUSI.

15. ________________________________________

Things you do regularly are ABISTH.

16. ________________________________________

Once you make a decision, you have to put it into COINTA.

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IMITATEPROCESSR

DECISION-MAKING

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NIMEVALUATEJAUR

TMVALUESMECLOTO

IAMETHABITSOERC

FXCFGZFINVHZMLE

YERTLOFLOCADVED

ZINAISAIMPULSEU

AMVMQOSTPETEUBR

DEFINENMETHODSE

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