The Psychology of Decision-Making: How We Choose
Exploring the Factors That Influence Our Choices
Introduction
Decision-making is an integral part of our daily lives, from small choices like what to eat for breakfast to major life decisions like choosing a career path. This lesson will explore the psychological processes behind how we make decisions and the factors that influence our choices.
Quote of the Day
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
— J.K. Rowling (Author of Harry Potter)
Discussion: What do you think this quote suggests about the importance of decision-making in shaping who we are?
Breakout Room Time: Introduction
Question 1: Difficult Decision
Can you recall a difficult decision you've had to make? What factors influenced your choice?
Question 2: Rational Decision-Making
Do you believe that people are generally rational decision-makers? Why or why not?
Question 3: Emotions in Decision-Making
How do emotions play a role in the decisions we make? Can you think of a time when your emotions guided your choice?
Group Activity
Discuss these questions in small groups or pairs and share your thoughts with the class.
Key Video Vocab
Decision Fatigue
A state of cognitive exhaustion that impairs decision-making after making many decisions.
Cognitive Energy
The mental resources used during thinking and decision-making processes.
Threshold
The limit or point at which something begins or changes.
Rote
Mechanical or habitual repetition of something, often without understanding.
Optimal
The best or most effective possible in a particular situation.
Video Introduction
Let's watch a video that explores how decision fatigue affects our ability to make smart choices, and strategies to make decision-making easier.
Let's watch!
Key Points from the Video
Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue occurs after extended decision-making and leads to poorer choices. Cognitive energy is a limited resource that depletes throughout the day, affecting our ability to make decisions.
High-Stakes Decisions
High-stakes decisions require more cognitive energy, making us more prone to fatigue.
Strategies to Avoid Fatigue
Simple strategies like reducing the number of decisions and focusing on important choices can help avoid decision fatigue.
The Role of Emotions in Decision-Making
Emotions play a significant role in the decisions we make, often influencing us in ways we're not consciously aware of. These emotional responses can lead to biases in our decision-making process, such as the "affect heuristic," where we rely on our emotions to make quick judgements.
Understanding the impact of emotions can help us make more balanced decisions by recognising when we are being swayed by feelings rather than facts. This awareness is crucial for improving our decision-making processes and achieving more rational outcomes.
Breakout Room Time: Analysing Decisions
Question 1
How do you think decision fatigue has affected your choices in the past? Can you identify a specific example?
Question 2
Discuss a time when you faced a complex decision. How did you manage your cognitive energy?
Question 3
What additional strategies can we use to reduce decision fatigue and make smarter choices, beyond what was discussed in the video?
The Impact of Biases on Decision-Making
  • Cognitive biases: Mental shortcuts that can lead to errors in judgment and poor decision-making
  • Common biases include:
  • Confirmation bias: Favouring information that supports our preexisting beliefs
  • Availability heuristic: Relying on immediate examples that come to mind
  • Importance: Recognising these biases is crucial for making more rational decisions and avoiding common pitfalls in our thinking
Key Video Vocab Reminder
Remember these key words before completing the vocabulary exercise:
Optimal
Best or most favourable; the most desirable possible under a restriction expressed or implied.
Threshold
The point at which a stimulus is strong enough to begin to produce an effect.
Rote
Mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned.
Decision Fatigue
The deterioration of decision-making quality after a long session of decision-making.
Cognitive Energy
The mental resources available for thinking and decision-making.
Vocabulary Exercise
Complete sentences with the appropriate vocabulary word:
  1. Judges who experience _______ after a long day are more likely to make impulsive decisions.
  1. Managing your _______ is crucial when you have multiple important decisions to make.
  1. Once you reach your decision-making _______, it's harder to think clearly and make good choices.
  1. Making _______ decisions repeatedly can lead to mental exhaustion and poor outcomes.
  1. It's important to aim for the most _______ choice when faced with a difficult decision.
Vocabulary Exercise Answers
  1. Judges who experience decision fatigue after a long day are more likely to make impulsive decisions.
  1. Managing your cognitive energy is crucial when you have multiple important decisions to make.
  1. Once you reach your decision-making threshold, it's harder to think clearly and make good choices.
  1. Making rote decisions repeatedly can lead to mental exhaustion and poor outcomes.
  1. It's important to aim for the most optimal choice when faced with a difficult decision.
Breakout Room Time: Improving Decision-Making
Question 1
What steps can you take to improve your decision-making skills in your personal or professional life?
Question 2
How can understanding your decision-making threshold help you make better choices?
Question 3
What role do you think emotions should play in decision-making? Can they be both helpful and harmful?
Practical Tips for Better Decision-Making
Recognize Decision-Making Threshold
Recognize your decision-making threshold and take breaks to avoid fatigue.
Prioritise Important Decisions
Prioritize important decisions and reduce the number of trivial choices you make daily.
Balance Rational Thinking and Intuition
Use a combination of rational thinking and intuition, depending on the situation.
Seek Diverse Perspectives
Seek advice from others to gain different perspectives.
Wrap-up Discussion
As we conclude our exploration of the psychology of decision-making, it's time to reflect on what we've learned and how we can apply these insights to our daily lives. Let's engage in an open discussion to share our thoughts and personal insights.
Discussion Questions
Question 1: After exploring the psychology of decision-making, how do you feel about your own decision-making process? Do you think you'll approach decisions differently now?
Question 2: What's the most important thing you've learned about decision-making in this lesson?