Decisions and Your Character

In this lesson, you will Learn About…

How your decisions reflect your character.

How you can make responsible decisions.

How your decisions affect your health.

Decisions and Your Character

The Vocabulary terms in this lesson are:

Decision

Consequence

Risk

Cumulative risk

Values

Character

Role model

Types of Decisions

You make decisions every day. Some decisions are minor, while others have serious consequences, or results.

Decisions that affect your physical, mental/emotional, and social health are called health decisions.

Types of Decisions (cont’d.)

Some examples of health decisions are:

Physical health: Should I wear a helmet? Mental/emotional health: How much time will I

spend studying? Social health: Who will my friends be?

How to Make Healthy Decisions

Healthy decisions are thoughtful decisions and are made after evaluating a situation and possible risks.

Making healthy decisions involves a step-by-step process.

The Decision-Making Process

There are six steps in the decision-making process.

Decision Hill

State the situation

List the options

Weigh the possible

outcomes

Consider values

Make a decision and act on it

Evaluate your decision

Step 1: State the Situation

Understand the situation.

Consider all the facts and people involved in the situation.

Step 2: List the Options

Think of all possible options.

Ask family members, friends, and teachers for suggestions.

Step 3: Weigh Possible Outcomes

Weigh the outcomes of all the options. Use HELP to guide your choice:

H – Healthful E – Ethical L – Legal P – Parent approval

Consider cumulative risks.

Step 4: Consider Values

Consider your values when making the decision.

Values shape your character and guide the way you live.

Step 4: Consider Values (cont’d.)

Your character is defined by the way you think, feel, and act. The six traits of good character are:

Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship

Step 5: Make a Decision and Act on It

Choose the best course of action and act on it.

If none of the choices satisfy you, go back to Step 2.

Step 6: Evaluate Your Decision

Evaluate the positive, negative, and unexpected results of your decision.

If the action was not successful, try again. Use the decision-making process to find another way to deal with the situation.

Good Character, Responsible Decisions

When you think your decisions out carefully, you are more likely to make healthy choices.

Having good character helps you make healthy decisions.

Making responsible decisions and accepting the consequences helps you become a positive role model for others.

1. When making decisions, you need to consider _____ and ______.

Reviewing Terms and Facts

risks values

Fill in the missing steps of the decision-making

process.

Decision Hill

State the situation

List the options

Weigh the possible

outcomes

Consider your values

Make a decision and act on it

Evaluate your decision

Reviewing Terms and Facts

Thinking Critically

How are responsible decisions related to good character?

If you have good character, you are more likely to understand the consequences of your actions and make wise decisions. Also, you will accept the consequences of your decisions.

Vocabulary Review

Decisions are choices that you make. When making decisions, it is important to consider all the risks involved. All decisions have consequences, either positive or negative.

Vocabulary Review

Consequences are the results of an action.

Vocabulary Review

Risk is the chance of harm or loss.

Vocabulary Review

Cumulative risk is the addition of one risk factor to another, increasing the chance of harm or loss.

For example, riding your bike without a helmet is a risk factor. Riding in traffic is another. Riding in the rain is a third. When combined, these risk factors greatly increase the chances of severe injury.

Vocabulary Review

Values are beliefs you feel strongly about that help guide the way you live.

If your values are strong, any decision you make should be in agreement with them. If a decision is not in agreement with your values, you will probably feel uncomfortable with the decision.

Vocabulary Review

Your character is the way you think, feel, and act. The six traits of good character are:

Trustworthiness

Respect

Responsibility

Fairness

Caring

Citizenship

Vocabulary Review

A role model is a person whose success or behavior serves as an example for others.