Making Responsible Decisions

In this lesson, you will Learn About…

The types of decisions that affect your health

and the health of others.

How values play a role in the decisions that

you make.

The steps of the decision-making process.

Making Responsible Decisions

The Vocabulary terms in this lesson are:

Decision making.

Values.

Criteria.

Responsibility for Your Health

Decision making is the process of making a choice or solving a problem.

Learning how to make positive decisions that show respect for your health and the health of others is part of becoming a responsible person.

Responsibility for Your Health (cont’d.)

Before you make a decision, ask yourself:

How will this decision affect my well-being? How will it affect the health of others? Is it harmful? Is it unlawful? How will my family feel about this decision? How might this decision affect my life goals?

Values and Decisions You Make

Responsible decisions should be based on values.

In order for people to have healthy relationships, they must uphold core ethical values, such as trust and respect.

Some values may be completely individual.

Where Do Values Come From?

FamilyRelig

ious Beliefs

Society and Cultural HeritagePersonal

Experiences

Evaluating Your Choices

Values provide you with criteria, or standards on which to base your decisions.

Criteria help you evaluate the outcomes of your decisions.

Evaluating Your Choices

You can evaluate most situations using the H.E.L.P. criteria:

H – Is it healthful? E – Is it ethical? L – Is it legal? P – Would your parents approve of your

choice?

The Decision-Making Process

The decision-making process has six steps:

1.State the situation.2.List the options.3.Weigh the possible outcomes.4.Consider values.5.Make a decision and act.6.Evaluate the decision.

Step 1: State the Situation

State the decision that you have to make.

Estimate how much time you have to make a decision.

What should I do after school today? I’d like to hang out with my friends, but there’s a track practice scheduled for this afternoon, and I have a commitment to my team.

Step 2: List the Options

List the choices you can make.

Consider if a reliable source, such as a parent or guardian, can help you think of other choices.

You should really stop by Zoe’s after school. A bunch of us are going to be there.

Practice at 3.

Don’t be late!

Step 3: Weigh the Possible Outcomes

List the consequences of each option.

Evaluate how your choice will affect you, both now and in the future.

Consider if your choice will affect anyone else. If so, how?

Step 4: Consider Values

Ask yourself if each of your options fit in with core ethical values and your individual values.

Evaluate how values will influence your decision.

If I skipped practice, I’d be breaking my promise to my parents. I’d also be letting my teammates down.

Step 5: Make a Decision and Act

Think of the choice you should make.

List the things you need to do to follow through on your decision.

I’m acting like a trustworthy and responsible person

Thanks for inviting me, but I have to get to practice. How about some other time?

Step 6: Evaluate the Decision

List the consequences that resulted from your decision.

Evaluate if the results turned out as you planned.

Consider if you would make the same choice if you had to do it again. Assess what you learned.

Reviewing Terms and Facts

1. ______________ is the process of making a choice or solving a problem.Decision making

Reviewing Terms and Facts

2. Name four sources from which values develop.

Family Religious beliefs Personal experiences Society and cultural heritage

Reviewing Terms and Facts

3. What are the four H.E.L.P. criteria?

H – Is it healthful? E – Is it ethical? L – Is it legal? P – Would your parents approve of your

choice?

Thinking Critically

4. Which of the six steps in the decision-making process do you think is the most important? Explain your answer.

Vocabulary Review

Decision making is the process of making a choice or solving a problem.

Vocabulary Review

Values are the beliefs that guide the way a person lives, such as beliefs about what is right and wrong and what is most important.

Vocabulary Review

Criteria are standards on which to base your decisions.