Decision-Making

Decision-making can be defined as a process that draws on the cognitive, emotional, and motivational components of an individual and results in selecting a behavior, belief, or course of action from among many alternatives and possibilities. The process results in the selection of a final choice that may or may not require action. Although decision-making happens constantly in relationships, there are instances where a couple or family cannot agree on a direction. Questions and decision-making are integral to relationships: intimate, friendly, or other. This entry discusses decision-making models in families and couples, important factors in decision-making, including the role of stress, values, a general decision-making process, how changes in gender roles have impacted decision-making, and decision-making in connection with career and ethical issues.