The Psychology of Decision-Making

a woman pondering a decision that has many options to choose from

course syllabus for Your Well-Being online health and wellness education course

Course Outline

Main Ideas

Learning Objective

Understand the psychological factors that influence decision-making and identify strategies to make healthier choices.

Behavioral Objective

Apply decision-making techniques to improve daily habits and align choices with long-term health goals.

Key Thought

Decisions are shaped by emotions, biases, and habits, but self-awareness and intentionality can transform them into powerful tools for well-being.

Main Ideas

Learning Objective

Understand the psychological factors that influence decision-making and identify strategies to make healthier choices.

Behavioral Objective

Apply decision-making techniques to improve daily habits and align choices with long-term health goals.

Key Thought

Decisions are shaped by emotions, biases, and habits, but self-awareness and intentionality can transform them into powerful tools for well-being.

Terms

Ability

noun

The capacity or skill needed to take action or complete a task, influenced by resources, knowledge, and environment.

Availability Heuristic

noun

A cognitive bias where decisions are influenced by readily available information rather than comprehensive or accurate data.

Confirmation Bias

noun

The tendency to favor information that confirms pre-existing beliefs while disregarding contradictory evidence.

Feedback Loop

noun

A cycle in which the results of an action or decision provide information that influences future behavior, often reinforcing or modifying the original action.

Habit Loop

noun

A cycle of behavior that includes a cue, routine, and reward, which reinforces the action and makes it habitual.

Motivation

noun

The internal or external drive that prompts an individual to take action toward achieving a goal or satisfying a need.

Trigger

noun

A cue or prompt that initiates a behavior, encouraging immediate action.

Terms

Ability

noun

The capacity or skill needed to take action or complete a task, influenced by resources, knowledge, and environment.

Availability Heuristic

noun

A cognitive bias where decisions are influenced by readily available information rather than comprehensive or accurate data.

Confirmation Bias

noun

The tendency to favor information that confirms pre-existing beliefs while disregarding contradictory evidence.

Feedback Loop

noun

A cycle in which the results of an action or decision provide information that influences future behavior, often reinforcing or modifying the original action.

Habit Loop

noun

A cycle of behavior that includes a cue, routine, and reward, which reinforces the action and makes it habitual.

Motivation

noun

The internal or external drive that prompts an individual to take action toward achieving a goal or satisfying a need.

Trigger

noun

A cue or prompt that initiates a behavior, encouraging immediate action.

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Activities
Related Content

Introduction

Every decision we make, from the food we eat to how we spend our time, is shaped by psychological factors. Understanding these influences helps us recognize why we make certain choices and how we can redirect them toward healthier outcomes. This topic explores the role of emotions, habits, and cognitive biases in decision-making, empowering you to make choices aligned with your health goals.

Emotions and Decision-Making

Emotions are a powerful driver of behavior, often influencing our decisions more than we realize. For example, stress or sadness can lead to impulsive choices like indulging in comfort foods. Recognizing how emotions shape your decisions is the first step in regaining control. Techniques like mindfulness and journaling can help identify emotional triggers and guide you toward healthier responses.

Cognitive Biases and Their Impact

Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts that influence how we perceive information and make decisions. These biases can lead to flawed reasoning and unhealthy choices. Two common biases include:

The Availability Heuristic

This bias occurs when we base decisions on readily available information rather than accurate or comprehensive. For example, seeing an advertisement for a fast-food meal might make it seem like the easiest option, even if healthier alternatives exist.

Confirmation Bias

This occurs when we favor information supporting our beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence. For instance, someone might dismiss research on the benefits of exercise if they already believe they don't have time for it.

The Habit Loop

Decisions are often driven by habits, which consist of a cue, routine, and reward. For example, the sight of a vending machine (cue) might prompt you to buy a snack (routine) to satisfy hunger (reward). Identifying and modifying these habit loops can transform automatic, unhealthy behaviors into intentional, positive ones.

The Role of Willpower

Willpower is often considered the key to better decisions, but research suggests it's a finite resource that can be depleted throughout the day. Instead of relying solely on willpower, focus on creating an environment that supports healthy choices. This includes keeping nutritious foods readily available and minimizing exposure to temptations.

Practical Tips for Better Decisions

Pause before deciding to evaluate its long-term impact.
Break large decisions into smaller, manageable steps to reduce overwhelm.
Seek accountability from a friend or mentor to stay aligned with your goals.

Creating a Decision-Making Framework

A decision-making framework provides a structured approach to evaluating options. Start by defining your goal (e.g., "I want to eat healthier"), list possible choices (e.g., meal prepping or dining out), and weigh their pros and cons. This intentional process can help you make choices that reflect your values and priorities.

The Power of Reflection

Reflection allows you to evaluate and learn from past decisions. After making a choice, ask yourself: Did this align with my goals? How did it make me feel? What would I do differently next time? Regular reflection fosters self-awareness and continuous improvement, strengthening your ability to make informed decisions.

Analyze a Habit Loop

Objective: Break down a habit and identify areas for improvement.

Choose a habit you want to change (e.g., snacking late at night).
Identify its cue, routine, and reward.
Experiment with replacing the routine with a healthier alternative.

Identify Emotional Triggers

Objective: Recognize emotions that influence decision-making.

Keep a journal for one week, noting decisions that felt impulsive or emotional.
Identify patterns in your entries (e.g., stress leading to unhealthy food choices).
Brainstorm healthier alternatives for these triggers.

Practice a Decision-Making Framework

Objective: Develop a structured approach to making choices.

Set a health-related goal (e.g., increasing daily exercise).
List possible actions to achieve this goal and evaluate their pros and cons.
Choose the option that best aligns with your values and priorities.

Case Study - Making Better Choices

Objective: Understand how improving information and experience can lead to better decision-making.

Review a scenario where you made a poor health-related decision (e.g., unhealthy eating, skipping exercise).
Identify what information or experience you were lacking at the time that led to that choice.
Develop a plan for how better information or experience could improve similar future decisions.

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