LECTURES 6 & 7

DECISION MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

6.0 Introduction

This lesson is concerned with highlighting the procedure and method necessary for critical and creative

thinkers in decision-making and problem solving. Critical and creative thinking enhances the quality

of decision making and problem solving and raises it to the level of critical consciousness and

deliberative choice through the tools of evaluation and analysis.

6.1 Lecture objectives

By the end of this lecture, the learner should be able to:

i. Explain the meaning of decision making and problem solving

ii. Explain the role of critical and creative thinking in decision making and problem solving

iii. Outline the key stages/phases of critical decision making and problem solving

6.2 Decision making

Decision making is a mental process by which we make choices among alternatives. Some of the

decisions are small and inconsequential and some are large and life determining.

6.2.1 Categories of Decisions we make

We make decisions that involve:

❖ Basic Human needs- we all make choices and decisions as to how to satisfy these needs

❖ Chosen Values- we also make choices and decisions in relation to the values that we impose

upon ourselves.
 ❖ Implications to the wellbeing of others.

6.2.1.1 Big decisions

There are two kinds of big decisions to learn to watch in one’s life:

❖ Decisions have obvious long-term consequences e.g., basic parental decisions, career choices,

choices of mate etc.

❖ Those whose long-term consequences must be discovered e.g., Implications of our daily habits

behaviors values

6.3 What is problem?

Broadly speaking, a Problem is an absence of obvious answer to the need or question at hand.

Specifically, to our concern is problem defined as mental dissatisfaction and quest for the unknown.

Important Facts about Problem Solving

a) Some problems left alone solve or resolve themselves e.g., an irritating roommate moves

b) Most problems however do not go away by themselves but must be dealt with actively in one

way or another.

c) If not dealt with some/many problems, get worse over the time and hence it is advisable to

solve problems before they come after you.

6.3.1 Two Categories of Problems

1. Problems we ourselves have created by our decisions and behavior. These are easier to solve

by reversing earlier decisions or modifying behavior.

2. Problems created by forces outside of us

Each of these can be divided into two groups

 1. Problems we can solve in part or whole

2. problems beyond our control

6.4 Decision Making – Problem Solving Relationship

Everyday life is an endless sequence of decisions. Problems are embedded in the fabric of our lives

almost to the same extent that decisions are. Every domain of decision-making is also a domain in

which we must solve problems. Every stage of decision making is either a stage in creating or solving

a problem. Since decision making involves making choices among alternatives, such choice may have

either positive or negative consequences. Hence, the two are interlinked. Every decision has an impact

on our problems either to minimize or to contribute to them.

6.5 Need for Rational Decision Making and Problem Solving

❖ To live a rational life

❖ Maximize our chances of happiness,

❖ Maximize chances of successful living and fulfillment.

6.6 Role of Critical Thinking in Decision Making and Problem solving

❖ Enhances the rationality of decisions and problem solving

❖ Raises decision-making and problem-solving to the level of conscious and deliberate choice.

❖ Helps us to avoid short-term and spontaneous decision- making and problem- solving

6.7 Phases of Critical Decision Making and Problem Solving

6.7.1 Decision Making

a) Common Patterns of Irrational/Unethical Decision Making

1. Deciding to behave in ways that undermine our welfare.

2. Not to engage in activities that contributes to our long-term welfare.

3. Deciding to behave in ways that undermine another’s welfare.

4. Deciding to associate with people who encourage us to act against our own welfare and others

welfare.

b) Main Reason for Irrational/Unethical Decision Making

-Immediate gratification and short-term gain i.e., we make decisions with immediate pleasure and the

short run uppermost in our minds, we tend to be driven by hedonistic tendencies.

- Indeed, our minds seem to be ‘wired’ for immediate and short- run gratification.

c) Four steps in Sound Decision – Making logic of decision-making

1. To recognize that you face in important decision.

This is to enable one to avoid making the decision subconsciously, to let the un-thought decisions

creep into our lives

2. To accurately identify the alternatives.

Failure arises in two ways:

-When we think something is an alternative when it is not (thinking unrealistically)

-When we fail to see an alternative (thinking narrowly)

3. To logically evaluate the alternatives

This needs to be done in line with our goals, purposes

4. To have the self-discipline to act on the best alternatives

This emphasizes the need to remain rational even in the face of temptations to make emotional

decisions etc.

N. B. Each of these factors presents potential problems to the thinker. These problems can be seen

in the kind of questions which arise at each stage (see thinking map)

d) Thinking Map in Handling Decisions and Recommendations

(guiding critical questions in each stage of decision-making)

a) What makes this decision necessary? Objectives

b) What is recommended and on what grounds?

c) What are the options/ alternatives?

d) What are the possible implications and consequences of the various options – and how likely

are they?

e) How important are these consequences for all those affected?

f) When I compare the alternatives in the light of their consequences, which is the best? Or the

recommended course best?

g) How can I carry through my decision? Contingency plans?

e) A skilled Decision maker is the one who:

a) Puts more time in decision making as it more costly to deal with the negative effects of a bad

decision

b) Is systematic and focused on the decision.

 c) Deals with one major decision at a time

d) Develops knowledge of one’s ignorance (this is a virtue of a critical and creative thinker)

6.8 Critical Problem-Solving

a) Evaluating patterns in your problem solving (things to avoid in problem solving)

1. Avoid irrationality in problem solving

- Irrational problem solving comes in at least forms:

a) Pseudo-solutions (solutions that seem to solve the problem, but they do not).

b) Solutions that solve the problem at the expense of the rights and needs of others

-Both these forms involve self-deception. This arises because we seek to satisfy false needs and obtain

irrational ends.

What to do:

❖ Pseudo problems should be dissolved not solved

❖ Pseudo problems are dissolved by dissolving “false needs” and “irrational ends” that have

generated the problems in the first place.

b) To identify false needs and irrational ends we need to answer such critical questions as:

1. Do I need or just want this?

2. Is it possible to want things one does not need?

3. Does this value or end/goal is the one that do more harm than good e.g., practices that serve

the interests of a few at the expense of the majority.

c) Phases of critical problem solving

This is also referred to as logic of problem solving

1. Regularly re-articulate and re-evaluate goals, purposes and needs. This is because problems

are recognized as arising mainly from two sources:

❖ Obstacles or opportunities to reaching our goals or satisfying our needs

❖ Misconceptions in defining goals, purposes and needs.

-Humans often pursue what they ought not to pursue and thus misconceptions/mistakes lie in our

very definition of what is worth seeking or achieving or what we think we need

-Critical thinkers often revisit their conceptions of what is worth pursuing: is the goal worth pursuing?

Are you seeking excesses? Are you making unreasonable demands on others e.g., demanding others

to believe what you believe, value, or act as we act? Are your standards inconsistent e.g., expecting

others to be satisfied with what we ourselves would not be satisfied with or be judged by criteria that

we would resent?

2. Identify problems explicitly and analyze them.

-This enables to avoid being vague about the problem or hiding the problem

-Some problems are complex and as such need be broken into their separate parts

-State your problem clearly, accurately and precisely as you can

3. Figure out the information you needed and actively seek that information.

Almost all the problem solving requires acquisition of key relevant information.

4. Carefully analyze, interpret and evaluate the information. This enables one to:

-To make sense of and give meaning to the information

-To avoid falsehoods deceptions and distortions

-To check reliability and relevance of the source

-To make reasonable inferences

5. Figure out the alternatives for action and evaluate them.

-Information may lead you into different options and inferences

-Make sure that you are not misinterpreting the situation

-Distinguish what is under your control and what is not

-Evaluated options in terms of both the short term and the long-term implications, strengths and

short-comings

-Be cautious of your action, sticking to the facts and being willing to re-integrate what is happening

-Figure out the limitations you have – be it money, time, power etc.

6. Taking a strategic approach to the problem

-Different problems require different strategies. For instance, in some situations the best way in

responding to a problem may be through wait and see strategy. In most cases, a more direct strategy

is required. Follow through whatever strategy identified

7. When you act, monitor the implications of your actions as they emerge. This enables one to:

- Know whether the progress is in achieving the desired results/objectives

- Revise strategy or strategies at short moment should the situation so require.

- Re-look at our strategy and analysis of the problem as more information becomes available

- Back track, and even shift direction if need arises.

6.9 Phases of Critical Decision Making and Problem Solving

Title Steps in decision making and problem solving

Purpose To deepen students’ understanding of critical decision making and problem

solving

Brief Summary of the Task Students to listen these videos

• steps in critical problem solving

• Make Better Decisions

Individual Task List down some important critical questions as a guide to critical decision

making and problem solving

Interaction Each student to post his/her findings on chatroom

E-moderator interventions • Ensure students are focused on the contents and context of the

discussion.

• To harmonize students’ views

• Close the e-tivity

Schedule and time The individual task will take 40 minutes

Next Thinking for Oneself: Cartesian methodic doubt

Summary
The important aspect shown in this lesson is the systematic procedure involved in decision-making

and problem solving. It has demonstrated the important role of critical and creative thinking in this

process i.e., asking critical questions and taking ample time and exploring all possible alternatives in

view of one’s decision on self and others.

Further activity

Apply the dimension of decision/ problem solving in choosing your courses/ subject at the

University

Questions

1. Explain the role of critical thinking in decision making while clearly outlining key guiding

questions in each step

2. Outline the phases of problem solving while clearly outlining key guiding questions in each

step

3. A good decision and answer are both logical and ethical. Discuss.