Problem solving always means for people to make many different decisions, sometimes complicated, and we know that each person faces decision-making differently, depending on the experience of each one and according to their criteria.
Decision-making is a fundamental function but one of the most difficult that human beings face; besides being a very studied subject in psychology. Within psychology, many details are studied such as the objectives of decision-making, the plans that must be carried out when taking them, the actions that are taken within the plan, the progress that it leads and the results that are being reached.
What is decision making?
Decision-making is mainly focused on finding the right solutions to solve problematic situations that people face, where many uncertain events happen.
The first step to help a person make the right decisions is to make an analysis of what they do and study the elements that keep them blocked, an idea that can be very timely is to rely on decision-making models to know where start.
Making decisions is the first step in facing a problem, this means that something begins to be done to solve something that worries us, but this concern is not always directed to what is bothering us.
It is the concrete analysis of the problem that will help you effectively. There is no use worrying about things that cannot cause us great problems, you cannot simply live avoiding different experiences because of the worry of how bad it could bring us. Worrying about problems that cannot be solved can cause a negative evaluation of our abilities, realizing that the problem we have cannot be faced. Sometimes we think that worrying about very difficult problems is helping us find possible solutions, although the truth is that they are being avoided. People who have fallen into this trap come to therapy when the fear of losing or failing is so strong that it prevents them from functioning normally.The psychologist's job is to get them to overcome that fear and also to identify if there is a problem that they avoid. (Hastie, 2001)
Decision-making models
There are classic models of decision making that are used in different psychological therapies, although we know that all people are different and cannot simply be adjusted to the conditions proposed by a model.
Within the therapies and intervention techniques of psychology there are different types of models such as cognitive ones; some examples of these techniques are D'Zurilla and Goldfried's problem-solving scheme and Wessler and Wessler's Cognitive Appraisal Therapy, which include important pieces of information about decision-making.
Problem solving scheme
One of the decision-making models is based on the problem-solving scheme developed by D'Zurilla and Goldfried in 1971, whose main objective is to help people solve their problems through good decision-making. and teach you the right solutions. In the scheme it is said that the problems are situations to which an immediate solution cannot be given. So the solution for these problems consists in providing them with the correct strategies and techniques that teach them to focus their problems towards valid solutions.
The procedure that D'Zurilla and Goldfried propose for solving problems is as follows:
- Orientation to the problem: The first step proposed by the authors is to define the orientation of the problems, to realize that the problem is not the situation but rather my lack of conduct; that they learn to assess the causes and importance of this problem; and know how much time and effort we have available to solve this problem.Definition and formulation of the problem: The second step is to define the objective terms and solutions that can be given to the problem, as well as define what bothers me about this problem, look for the information that is relevant to me, understand the conflict, and define my goals. Proposals for alternatives: The next point is to determine 3 principles; the principle of quantity, which is what generates quality; the principle of delay of judgment,which is not assessing the consequences; and the third is the principle of variety, what is it to propose possible solutions and combine them Decision-making: The fourth step consists of anticipating the positive and negative consequences that each alternative has, as well as comparing the alternatives between them and starting to prepare a plan Take the plan into practice and check the results: The fifth and last step is where the plan is already put into practice, it requires observation of our plan and self-evaluation and self-reinforcement if the results are satisfactory, as well as doing a new analysis of the process. In addition, it can also be determined whether a new process should be implemented if the results are unsatisfactory.what it is to propose possible solutions and combine them Decision-making: The fourth step consists of anticipating the positive and negative consequences that each alternative has, as well as comparing the alternatives between them and beginning to prepare an action plan. and check the results: The fifth and last step is where the plan is already put into practice, it requires observation of our plan and self-evaluation and self-reinforcement if the results are satisfactory, as well as making a new analysis of the process. In addition, it can also be determined whether a new process should be implemented if the results are unsatisfactory.what it is to propose possible solutions and combine them Decision-making: The fourth step consists of anticipating the positive and negative consequences that each alternative has, as well as comparing the alternatives between them and beginning to prepare an action plan. and check the results: The fifth and last step is where the plan is already put into practice, it requires observation of our plan and self-evaluation and self-reinforcement if the results are satisfactory, as well as making a new analysis of the process. In addition, it can also be determined whether a new process should be implemented if the results are unsatisfactory.as well as comparing the alternatives between them and starting to prepare an action plan. Put the plan into practice and check the results: The fifth and last step is where the plan is already put into practice, it requires observation of our plan and self-evaluation and self-reinforcement if the results are satisfactory, as well as doing a new analysis of the process. In addition, it can also be determined whether a new process should be implemented if the results are unsatisfactory.as well as comparing the alternatives between them and starting to prepare an action plan. Put the plan into practice and check the results: The fifth and last step is where the plan is already put into practice, it requires observation of our plan and self-evaluation and self-reinforcement if the results are satisfactory, as well as doing a new analysis of the process. In addition, it can also be determined whether a new process should be implemented if the results are unsatisfactory.In addition, it can also be determined whether a new process should be implemented if the results are unsatisfactory.In addition, it can also be determined whether a new process should be implemented if the results are unsatisfactory.
This problem-solving scheme is just one example of the many intervention techniques and therapies in psychology, which falls within the cognitive models of decision-making.
Wessler and Wesler cognitive assessment therapy
Another therapy or intervention technique of psychology that is within the cognitive models is the cognitive assessment therapy of Wessler and Wesler, which basically talks about 3 types of therapy that are client-centered therapy, gestalt therapy and rational emotional therapy, and mentions that a person's cognitions and assessments of himself, towards other people and towards situations are aspects of emotions and directly influence decision-making.
In this therapy it is mentioned that people are governed by certain personal rules of life that we apply to certain situations (Wessler & Wessler-Hankin, 1991).
These rules work in three ways:
- As cognitive mediators of effective experience As components of an interactive system of cognition, affect and interaction As a non-conscious algorithm for value-based responses.
The cognitive assessment therapy has the additional function of justifying the experience of feelings within decision making.
Problems that we can face
Even after having overcome our problems and after carrying out the strategic plan, we can find ourselves with psychological problems. When evaluating the results obtained, we must base ourselves on facts that are measurable and objective.
We can fall into the temptation to only take into account the sensations that we have left, without a conscious thought. This error generates an anxiety disorder or a compulsive disorder because these feelings may be caused by other factors, such as the uncertainty of the result, our excess of perfectionism or our general state by other events that occurred in our life.
The non-acceptance of the thoughts, feelings, sensations and emotions that risk entails is what keeps people with obsessive behavior in eternal doubt and makes it difficult for them to make decisions. Exposure to fear of failure and training in acceptance of thoughts, feelings, sensations, and emotions is an important means of dealing with these problems. (García Higuera, 2006)
conclusion
Decision making has been studied for many years as a psychological issue. According to the models, therapies and techniques, decision-making directly influences our interests, that is why it is not an issue that should be taken lightly, it must be thought about and analyzed and decisions should not be automatic or usual.
Making decisions is a process by which we select between different alternatives in order to resolve the situations that arise in our lives, be it at the family, work or emotional level. The models explain that to achieve a thoughtful decision it is important to know and understand the scenario or problem that affects us. We must think very well to understand and analyze the possible consequences of the different decisions that we can make, since a good or incorrect resolution could have positive or negative results for us, and of course if they are taken within the workplace the consequences will affect all our company.
Bibliography
- García Higuera, JA (March 1, 2006). Infocop Online. Obtained from http://www.infocop.es/view_article.asp?id=622Hastie, R. (2001). Problems for Judgment and Decision Making. Annual Review of Psychology, 653-683. Wessler, RL, & Wessler-Hankin, S. (1991). Cognitive Assessment Therapy TVC. Behavior Modification and Therapy Techniques Manual, 555-579.
Thesis topic:
Define the steps that should be considered for decision-making in an area of a certain company.
Objective:
Prepare a manual that standardizes all steps necessary to make the correct decisions in a certain area of the company, and thus avoid errors in the decisions that are made.
Cognitive: The meaning of this term is related to the process of acquiring knowledge through information received from the environment, learning. It derives from the Latin to know.
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