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instance, she recommends avoiding detailed, lengthy cost/benefit
analyses (there is always more and more contradictory information to
be found) and giving up the notion of finding the one right answer for
now and forever. She recommends, of course, assessing your options
but recognizing the complexity of almost all decisions, even the one's
that seem simple, like what shirt or blouse to buy. The situation is
likely to change; your preferences may change; new facts may be
discovered. Any new factor could change your mind. Therefore, the
most important aspect of decision-making is to keep an active, open
mind to new factors and new options. Sloan (1996) recommends a
similar reflective approach, which is very different from the typical
weigh-the-pros-and-cons methods. Create your own options instead of
passively accepting just the options someone else tells you, you have.
Remain uncertain of your decisions; if you are certain you have made
the right decision, your mind shuts down. That's bad. Guard against
assuming the way things have always been done is the right way; that
also closes our minds. Uncertainty keeps your mind active and flexible.
Continued information seeking creates better ideas and wiser options.
In both the decision-making process and in the keeping-the-mind-
open process, one can take pride in his/her problem-solving.
There are no other known disadvantages or dangers except getting
excessively obsessed with the details of decision-making and insisting
that you must always find the "right answer."
Recommended readings
Adams, J. L. (1974). Conceptual blockbusting. San Francisco,
CA: W. H. Freeman Co.
Adams, J. L. (1986). The care and feeding of ideas: A guide to
encouraging creativity. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley.
Carkhuff, R. R. (1973). The art of problem solving. Amherst,
Mass.: Human Resource Development Press.
D'Zurilla, T. J. (1986). Problem-solving therapy: A social
competence approach to clinical intervention. New York:
Springer.
Janis, I. L. & Mann, L. (1976). Decision-making. Riverside, NJ:
Free Press.<
Smedes, L. B. (1986). Choices: Making right decisions in a
complex world. San Francisco: Harper & Row.
Scholz, N. T., Prince, J. S., & Miller, G. P. (1976). How to
decide: A guide for women. Princeton, NJ: College Entrance
Examination Board.
