PREDICTING CONSEQUENCES
OBJECTIVE:
Students will predict the possible consequences of the decisions they make.
CONCEPT:
Each decision has consequences in terms of effects on goals, people, money, time, values and relationships. The better we are able to predict the consequences of different actions, the better we will be able to select an alternative that will be acceptable. When we don’t troubleshoot, we make decisions that have unacceptable results.
PROCEDURE:
Discussion: Can you think of a time when you made a decision and were unhappy with the way things turned out?
Did you think out beforehand what might possibly happen?
INTRODUCE CONCEPTS:
Give students the following situations. Have them make a decision and then describe several consequences (good or bad) or their chosen action, in small groups, role play one outcome.
These are situations that call for a decision between only two alternatives. Students should list several possible consequences for each of the two possible decisions. Based on these consequences, they should then try to make the best decision. Their role play, however, may demonstrate the effects of either making the right or the wrong decision, but should somehow communicate to the audience why this decision was a good one or a bad one for this individual.
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1. Faced with the decision to steal a car and to go for a joy ride, I decided to . . .
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2. Faced with the decision of whether to do homework, I decided to . . .
3. Faced with the decision to carry a gun or knife to school, I decided to . . .
COMMERCIAL:
Have students select a current TV commercial that is especially effective. Then have them do the following: Identify what is being sold and what the appeal is (more attractive, happier, more spare time, etc.). If you choose to buy this product or take part in this activity, what would you gain? What would you be giving up? Would it be worth it?
