Adolescents and Decision Making Adolescence is a time of increasing opportunities to make decisions – about whom to be friends with; where to go to university; who to date; whether to use alcohol or other drugs. Choices made in adolescence may have life‐long consequences for a person’s health, career, psychological well‐being, and social acceptance. Making good, responsible, choices does not come naturally to most teenagers. Part of the reason for this is that the adolescent brain is still developing the ability to make decisions wisely. This is the biological explanation for why adolescents differ from adults in the way they behave, solve problems, and make decisions. Studies have shown that our brains continue to mature and develop throughout childhood and adolescence and well into early adulthood. Based on the stage of their brain development, adolescents are more likely to:  act on impulse  misread or misinterpret social cues and emotions  get into accidents of all kinds  get involved in fights  engage in dangerous or risky behaviour They are less likely to:  think before they act  pause to consider the potential consequences of their actions  modify their dangerous or inappropriate behaviours These brain differences do not mean that young people cannot make good decisions or tell the difference between right and wrong. It also does not mean that they should not be held responsible for their actions. Adolescents need opportunities to practice and discuss realistic decision‐making. One strategy to accomplish this is to provide more opportunities for teenagers to engage in role‐playing and group problem solving. Another strategy is to involve teenagers in appropriate decision‐making activities. One study found that adolescents are more likely to participate in family decision making when they see themselves as in control of what happens to them and if they feel that their input will have some bearing on the outcome of the decision‐
making process. Parents can help adolescents develop their decision‐making skills by teaching them how to work through the steps in decision making, and letting them make decisions. This is also a great opportunity to open communication between you and your child. Six Steps to Decision Making/Problem Solving 1. Identify and define the problem. Consider what an optimal outcome or goal might be. 2. List possible options/alternatives. Use a brainstorming technique where you put a lot of ideas on paper. It is important to let your teenager come up with the first idea and put it down even if it doesn’t seem workable to you. If they can’t seem to get started (give them time to think first), ask if you may make a suggestion. Making it silly or outlandish may encourage them to be free to say their ideas. Keep going until you can’t think of any more ideas/options. Remember not to be judgmental. This is just a gathering of ideas. 3. Evaluate the options. Let your teenager evaluate the options, with you there for guidance, support, and encouragement. If you see a point they are not thinking of, ask them if you can bring up a point. By asking their permission to bring up a point, they are more likely to really listen to your point and not consider it a lecture or put down of their ideas and thought process. Having your teenager ask the following questions can help them evaluate their options: Is it unkind? Is it hurtful? Is it unfair? Is it dishonest? Is it in line with the goal? 4. Choose one option. It is important that the solution to the problem does not create a problem for someone else. 5. Make a plan and do it. This is probably the most difficult step. If their choice is not acceptable to the other person, they may need to go back to the list of options. 6. Evaluate the problem and solution. This is probably the most neglected step in decision making but it is critical to the learning process. Look at: What brought the problem about? Can a similar problem be prevented in the future? How was the present problem solved? They can feel good about their success – or learn and take ownership of looking for another solution. Avoid saying, “I told you so” if their solution didn’t work. Articles cited: The Teen Brain: Behavior, Problem Solving and Decision Making Decision Making / Problem Solving with Teens by Eileene Welker (Ohio State University)