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Chocolate or Vanilla? The Real Decisions of Adolescents

Chocolate or Vanilla? The Real Decisions of Adolescents. Liza Nagel, Ph.D. Associate Professor University of New Mexico. Walking in their shoes. The Real Decisions Made by Adolescents. It’s more than just selecting their flavor of ice cream Sex How far? With whom?

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Chocolate or Vanilla? The Real Decisions of Adolescents

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  1. Chocolate or Vanilla? The Real Decisions of Adolescents Liza Nagel, Ph.D. Associate Professor University of New Mexico

  2. Walking in their shoes.

  3. The Real Decisions Made by Adolescents • It’s more than just selecting their flavor of ice cream • Sex • How far? • With whom? • Alcohol and other drugs • Everyone’s doing it • Social benefits • Bullies • How do I respond? • How do I save face? • Sensation-seeking behaviors • Escaping the humdrum of daily life with some excitement • Male vs. female tendencies

  4. Who do they listen to… • Their peers? • Celebrities? • Their parents?

  5. And the answer is… • The research is clear…adolescents value their parents’ opinions far more than anyone else! • However, many parents aren’t talking with their children about critical issues so adolescents are left to rely on whatever sources are open to them… • Peers • Media

  6. What logic do they use in making decisions? • Socially driven • Based upon certain developmental issues: • Invincibility phenomenon • Imaginary audience

  7. Decision-making Models • The Immediate-Response Approach: instinctive response • The Precedent Approach: based upon how similar situations have been handled in past • The Logical Approach: mentally arrange all known elements pertaining to the situation. • The Problem-Solving Approach: one ofthe most effective • The Rational Decision-making Approach: the most popular

  8. Which approach to adolescents tend to rely upon?

  9. The problem is… • Both approaches are dependent upon a rich personal history with similar problems from which to draw solutions • Research suggests that youth have a difficult time anticipating potential outcomes of their decisions • Adolescents rely heavily on social desires in making their decisions…most are novel in nature

  10. The Problem-Solving Approach • Define and clarify the problem • Identify the decision objectives • Identify the barriers • List, analyze, and categorize all relevant information • Brainstorm alternatives • Analyze the list of alternatives and retain only the most viable • Make the decision • Put into action

  11. The Rational Decision-making Model • Define situation and desired outcome • Research and identify options • Compare and contrast each option and the consequences • Are the consequences consistent with my values? Goals? Health? • Choose an option • Design/implement a plan of action • Evaluate outcomes

  12. How do you foster the use of positive decision-making? • Model it, use it • When problems arise with the child, pose questions that lead them through the steps • Pose hypothetical situations for solving • Involve in family decision-making • Help adolescents to understand the risks associated with health-compromising behaviors by providing personal risk assessments

  13. The Key… • Encourage REFLECTION at an early age

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