Making Decisions That Matter: How People Face Important Life Choices / Edition 1

by Kathleen M. Galotti

Overview

Researchers studying decision making have traditionally studied the phenomenon in the laboratory, with hypothetical decisions that may or may not involve the decision maker's values, passions, or areas of expertise. The assumption is that the findings of these well-controlled laboratory studies will shed light on the important decisions people make in their everyday lives. This book examines that assumption.

The volume begins by covering four basic phases of decision making: setting or clarifying goals, gathering information, structuring the decision, and making a final choice. Comprehensive reviews of existing literature on each of these topics is provided. Next, the author examines differences in decision making as a function of several factors not typically discussed in the literature: the type of decision being made (e.g., legal, medical, moral) and the existence of individual differences in the decision maker (developmental differences, individual differences in style or temperament, differences as a function of expertise). The author then examines the topic of group decision making, contrasting it with individual decision making. The volume concludes with some observations and suggestions for improving peoples' everyday decision making.

This book is intended for use as a core textbook or supplement for courses in psychology, education, or allied disciplines. It will also be an invaluable resource for people who work with people making decisions in various applied settings, such as schools, universities, and health care centers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780805833973
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/01/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	190
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Contents: Preface. Introduction and Overview. Setting Goals and Making Plans. Gathering Information. Structuring the Decision. Making a Final Choice. Making Different Kinds of Decisions. Developing Decision-Making Skills, Expertise, and Style. Group and Organizational Decision Making. Improving Decision Making.

Editorial Reviews

Galotti (psychology and cognitive studies, Carleton College) did her dissertation on syllogistic reasoning in controlled situations and became interested in how laboratory and real-world decision-making compared. Real-life decisions, for example, are not self-contained (one is not presented with all the information neatly printed); laboratory decisions are not as self-invested as real-life decisions; and in lab decisions, unlike those on the street, there is usually one correct answer. Galotti has three goals for this study: describe ongoing research that compares laboratory with the real world, provide decision makers with food for thought, and point to questions for further research. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

"This is a good short introduction to some of the issues involved in decision making and will be useful to those of us who view this process as an essential clinical issue. Galotti's review of various styles of decision making should prove helpful to the clinician who hopes to assist patients (or ourselves) in making more effective and satisfying decisions."
—Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy

"...a solid introduction to the field that is comparable in length and treatment to what might be included in the portion of an undergraduate course in cognition that is dedicated to decision making... .a nicely written, brief overview of the field of decision making, this is a great little book for you."
—Contemporary Psychology APA REVIEW OF BOOKS

From the Publisher