Glossary

A persons actions reveal their values, goals and ethics.  Their actions also determine their future.  It has been said "Actions speak louder than words"

Consequences do not always have to be negative.  For instance, the consequence to not smoking is that you will probably have good health.  That is a good consequence.

"Walk a mile in their shoes" - That is consideration. 

Relationships that deal with people such as:  parents, siblings, friends, etc,

Ethics and Values are closely related.  In each society there are standards that people must live by.  These standards are known as ethics which reveal what a person values.

Family - Your family will play a big part in how you make decisions. 

Culture - Related to your family and their values.

Friends - Some will have a positive influence, while others could have a negative influence.  You are responsible for your decisions regardless of what others contribute.

Resources - People, time, money, energy, knowledge, skills and technology are all valuable resources that you can tap into to help you solve problems.

Media - Newspapers, magazines, radio, television, movies and Web sites are all sources of media which can influence how you solve a problem.

Society - You solve problems based on the groups you belong to.  It is sometimes hard to make a decision that is in opposition to these groups, even though it is in your best interest to do so.

 

The first and most critical step in problem solving.  Stating the Problem - realizing that there is a problem and being able to identify it.

Relationships that deal with people such as:  the community one lives in, society, classmates, associates, co-workers, etc.

People, Places and Things that have an impact on a persons thoughts, actions and responses.

Knowledge.  Common Sense.  Obtained internally (from ourselves) or externally (through research, friends, etc.)

Values - your decisions show what you value.

Needs - Needs will influence your decision.  Physical needs are things such as food, clothing, shelter.  Emotional needs are things such as belonging, achievement, security, safety,  and affection.  Intellectual needs are the desire to learn and a social need is the positive relationships we possess with other people.

Wants - Wants also influence your decision making process.  Wants are nonessential things that you desire.  They are not needed for your survival or well-being.

Coming up with ways to solve a problem that are different and unusual.  Creative thinking.  For instance:  a problem for a child could be that they will not eat breakfast - how about serving them a favorite lunch or dinner food.  Some would think that this is unusual.

Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail.  Luck happens to few, many who get ahead and prosper have planned for their outcome.

Situations that have no right or wrong answers.  A solution that might be right for one person may have negative results for the other person.

Not thinking or planning in order to obtain a desired outcome.  Some reactions are good - Jumping to the curb as a car goes speeding by - but didn't that take some thinking.  Some reactions are not good - Beating up someone because they called you a name.

All people have some type of relationship with another human or animal.  There are close relationships (direct) and casual relationships (indirect).

Problem solving may need for the solver to look at new information, find other resources, etc. in order to come up with a desired solution to a problem.

One of many models to utilize when solving problems.  The steps in Problem solving (decision making) are many times the same, regardless of the model you are using.

Another name for Decision.  Answer.

A step by step process in order to achieve the desired results.

Ethics - There are universal values that pertain to society as a whole.  They are:  Honesty, Integrity, Trustworthiness, Loyalty, Fairness, Caring, Respect, Responsibility, Pursuit of Excellence, Accountability.