HG2076.doc
Exercise name:
Decisions!! Decisions!!
Theoretical background:
Decision-making theory is not a unified branch of psychology
or any other discipline. One of the earliest attempts to
formulate an empirical approach was utilitarianism, which
advocated weighing the utility of a decision, including the
outcomes in terms of good and bad results. Choosing a
career might involve estimating the likely benefits against the
chances of success. In business a number of decision-making
tools have been developed, most notably the SWOT analysis
(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). This
exercise offers students profiles of different types of decisionmakers and asks them to consider which is most like them.
Target group:
Students aged 16 – 19
Exercise description:
Decision-making theory is not a unified branch of psychology
or any other discipline. One of the earliest attempts to
formulate an empirical approach was utilitarianism, which
advocated weighing the utility of a decision, including the
outcomes in terms of good and bad results. Choosing a
career might involve estimating the likely benefits against the
chances of success. In business a number of decision-making
tools have been developed, most notably the SWOT analysis
(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).
Pedagogical aim:
A questionnaire presents a range of different situations and
asks students to choose how they would react from a set of
multiple-choice questions. Their scores are then used to
define which type of decision maker they are.
Time:
30 – 45 minutes
Resources needed:
Photocopier
HG2076.doc
DECISIONS!! DECISIONS!!
QUIZ
Circle the answer which reflects the way you would respond in the given situation. Remember there is no
correct answer!
1. Your friends have recently bought
some new trainers. You see a similar
pair which cost a bit more than you
can afford. Do you.....
3. As yet, you are undecided about
what to do after your GCSE’s. Do
you...
1) Buy them, using up all your savings?
You want them, so you are going to have
them!
a) Not worry about it? You’re confident
some idea will come to you.
b) Try to find some other trainers which,
although you may not like them as much,
are a little cheaper?
c) Not buy the trainers and spend the
next few days wondering whether you
should have?
d) Buy them because you want to look
good with your friends?
2. A few of your friends have decided
to miss the last lesson at school, to
see a film. You’ve wanted to see it for
a long time. Do you....
b) Visit the careers library to find out
what options are open to you and then
arrange to speak to someone about it?
c) Stay on at school as you do not want
to make the wrong decision?
d) Ask your family and friends what they
think and find out what your best friends
are intending to do?
4. You’re faced with choosing a work
experience placement. Do you....
a) Look through the options and choose
the one that is most appealing to you?
a) Go because you want to see it?
b) Find out whether any other friends
want to see it and arrange to go another
time?
c) Have difficulty deciding what to do
because you want to see the film with
those particular friends and yet you don’t
want to risk being caught missing
school?
d) Go with your friends as they’ll think
you’re boring if you don’t?
b) Look quickly through the options,
choose a few that interest you and then
take into consideration travelling time,
what will it bring you in terms of
experience, etc.?
c) Choose three different placements
and then wait to see which one you get?
d) Choose a placement that someone
has recommended to you and one where
you know someone who works there?
HG2076.doc
5. It’s Friday night. A few friends are
going to one place, others to
somewhere else. You have to decide
what you’re going to do. Do you....
a) Flip a coin - you’ll enjoy yourself
either way?
b) Find out how much each will cost,
what time they’re coming home, what
lifts are available, etc? Then you decide.
c) Spend half of the evening with one
group or people, make your excuses and
go to the other place for the rest of the
evening?
7. You want to join a youth club.
There are two in your area to choose
from. Do you...
a) Just pick one - if you don’t like it, you
can always go to the other?
b) Find out what each one has to offer?
c) Try one one week, the other the next,
and then choose?
d) Find out who goes to which youth
club and pick the one where you know
you’ll like the people?
d) Not want to let either group down?
However, you go with those who are the
most persuasive.
6. You have two assignments that
need to be handed in tomorrow. You
only have time to do one. Do you...
a) Do the one that interests you the
most?
b) Do the one that is most important in
terms of marks?
c) Try to complete both of them even
though the standard won’t be as good?
d) Do the assignment for the teacher
who you like the most?
8. You are a member of the school’s
relay team. You recently pulled a
muscle and should be taking it easy,
yet there is an important sports event
soon and people are relying on you to
run. Do you...
a) Take the risk and enter the race?
b) Go and ask the doctor’s opinion and
discuss it with your sports teacher?
c) Say you will run only if they cannot
find anyone to take your place?
d) Feel guilty about letting them down
and run.
A’s
Now add up your score
B’s’
C’s
D’s
HG2076.doc
DECISION MAKING TYPES
Type A - Independent
You are a very decisive person, making quick decisions based on how
you feel at the time. You like being in control of your decisions and are
more likely to listen to your own feelings than to other people’s advice.
You tend to take risks without really thinking through the long-term
consequences.
—Description: Intuitive, emotive, fearless, independent, positive.
Type B - Logical
You tend to consider all your options carefully, weighing up the pros
and cons. You have a strong sense of what you like and dislike, and
know your strengths and weaknesses. Before making a decision, you
find out as much information as you can, researching or asking people
for advice. You also consider the long-term implications of your
decision and rely on logic more than intuition. You take your time in
deciding but one you’ve made up your mind, you will stick to it.
—Description: Logical, responsible, self-aware, informed, independent.
Type C - Careful
You tend to be a cautious decision maker, not wanting to make
mistakes or take unnecessary risks. You can see both sides of an
argument and therefore know that each option has it’s good and bad
points. This open-mindedness can be a good quality in terms of
keeping your options open. However, it can also lead to confusion and
may result in you not making decisions but letting events take over.
— Description: Tolerant, open-minded, careful, forward-looking.
Type D - Social
In making your decisions, you consider other people’s feelings and
actions. You are sensitive and like to avoid conflict. You like to be liked
by others. Whilst this can be a good quality, you need to be careful that
you are not influenced too much by other people. You tend to respond
rather than lead and you prefer to be a member of a group rather than
be on your own.
— Description: Sociable, easy-going, eager to please, supportive.