Decision Making
and Refusal Skills
Learning Log

Think of a time that you had trouble making a decision.


What made it hard to make that decision?
Think of a time when the decision was easy to make.

What made it easy?
DECIDE

D-define the problem

E-explore the alternatives

C-consider the consequences

I-identify your values

D-decide and act

E-evaluate the results

You found the perfect after school job. It is near home, and will
allow you to pay for the things you really want to get. That same
day you found out that you made the basketball team. Practice is
during the hours that you would need to work. What do you do?
Define the Problem

State problem clearly

Write it down if necessary

Do I even need to use DECIDE?

You found the perfect after school job. It is near home, and will
allow you to pay for the things you really want to get. That same
day you found out that you made the basketball team. Practice is
during the hours that you would need to work. What do you do?
Explore the Alternatives

Make a list

If more info is needed do research

If alternatives are unrealistic remove them
Consider the Consequences

Look at each alternative and write

Possible positive and negative
consequences

Consider what would happen, not what you
hope would happen

Ask yourself

How risky is each alternative?

How would it affect my future?

How will my decision effect other people?
Identify Your Values

Overlook because you want something

Usually uncomfortable with decision later

Consider

Goals

Family/culture

Health of you and others

Choice that matches values
Decide and Act

Use knowledge to choose what is right for you


Make a plan


Sometimes more than one right answer
Break into smaller steps
Follow through with plan
Evaluate Consequences

How did it work out?

How has it affected your life?

How has it affected others?

If you could do it over, what would you change?


Do it if possible
You found the perfect after school job. It is near home, and will
allow you to pay for the things you really want to get. That same
day you found out that you made the basketball team. Practice is
during the hours that you would need to work. What do you do?
Learning Log
 Use
DECIDE to figure out what you should
eat for lunch.
Decision Making Skills



15 Item game

Get correct information

Know how to use this information
Square Activity

Choice may look obvious at first

There may be more options than we see
Gut Check

Does your decision feel right?
Forgotten Aspects

Values

Emotions

Other’s feelings

Habits

Pressure

Risks
Learning Log

Advice
I
was at a friend’s house and we were just hanging
out. We were getting bored and one of the people
pulled out a bottle of liquor. They asked if I wanted
any, and I said, “No I have a game tonight.” The real
reason was that I have decided not to drink. Was it
wrong to give an excuse? What happens if they ask
me again when I don’t have a game?

Offer a response to this person and give them advice on
how to handle future situations
Developing Refusal Skills
To refuse an offer convincingly, you may need to do more than say no.
These guidelines can help you learn to say no in a way that tells others
you mean it.
Refusal Skills

NICE principle

N-say No firmly

I-use I statements
 I’m
not old enough to…
 No
thank you, I don’t…
I
want to stay in control of myself

C-change the subject, change who you are talking to,
change rooms

E-exit the situation
Do’s and Don’ts of NICE

Do
 Make
eye contact
 Stand
tall
 Use

a firm voice
Don’t
 Look
at the ground
 Show
you are nervous
 Speak
 Say
softly
”I guess not” or “Maybe”