Page 135 - Keys To Community College Success

KEY 4.10 Solve problems and make decisions using successful intelligence.

PROBLEM SOLVING THINKING SKILL DECISION MAKING

Define the problem—recognize that something Define the decision—identify your goal (your
STEP 1
needs to change, identify what’s happening, look DEFINE need) and then construct a decision that will help
for true causes. you get it.
Analyze the problem—gather information, break Examine needs and motives—consider the
it down into pieces, verify facts, look at perspectives STEP 2 layers of needs carefully, and be honest about Critical, Creative, and Practical Thinking
and assumptions, evaluate information. ANALYZE what you really want.

Generate possible solutions—use creative Name and/or generate different options—
STEP 3
strategies to think of ways you could address the CREATE use creative questions to come up with choices
causes of this problem. that would fulfill your needs.
Evaluate solutions—look carefully at potential STEP 4 Evaluate options—look carefully at potential pros
pros and cons of each, and choose what seems best. ANALYZE (EVALUATE) and cons of each, and choose what seems best.

Put the solution to work—persevere, focus Act on your decision—go down the path and
STEP 5
on results, and believe in yourself as you go for TAKE PRACTICAL ACTION use practical strategies to stay on target.
your goal.
Evaluate how well the solution worked— STEP 6 Evaluate the success of your decision—look
look at the effects of what you did. ANALYZE (REEVALUATE) at whether it accomplished what you had hoped.
In the future, apply what you’ve learned— In the future, apply what you’ve learned—
STEP 7
use this solution, or a better one, when a similar TAKE PRACTICAL ACTION make this choice, or a better one, when a similar
situation comes up again. decision comes up again.

KEY 4.11 Examine how problems and decisions differ.

SITUATION YOU HAVE A PROBLEM IF . . . YOU NEED TO MAKE A DECISION IF . . .

PLANNING SUMMER Your low GPA means you need to attend summer You’ve been accepted into two summer abroad
ACTIVITIES school—and you’ve already accepted a summer job. internship programs.

It’s time to declare, but you don’t have all the There are three majors that appeal to you and you
DECLARING A MAJOR
prerequisites for the major you want. qualify for them all.
HANDLING COMMUNICA- You are having trouble following the lecture style Your psychology survey course has seven sections
TIONS WITH INSTRUCTORS of a particular instructor. taught by different instructors; you have to choose one.

Analyze carefully. Gather information that will help you examine the problem. Con-
sider how the problem is similar to, or different from, other problems. Clarify facts.
Note your own perspective, and look for others. Make sure your assumptions are not
getting in the way.

Generate possible solutions based on causes, not effects. Addressing a cause
provides a lasting solution, whereas “putting a Band-Aid on” an effect cannot. Say, for
example, that your shoulder hurts when you type. Getting a massage is a helpful but
temporary solution, because the pain returns whenever you go back to work. Changing
your keyboard height is a better idea and a lasting solution to the problem, because it
eliminates the cause of your pain.

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