The decision-making process is an integral part of contemporary life. People make various determinations every day: from small choices like what to wear in the morning to significant resolutions that can determine one’s future. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to come up with and evaluate different solutions for a variety of problems. For example, the I.D.E.A.L. decision-making model provides a blueprint for identifying, describing, and evaluating the situation and acting on and learning from that choice. The model aims to offer people more control over their life by affording a clear concept map of a critical problem and the advantages and disadvantages of potential decisions. This paper will discuss a complex social situation and evaluate five possible resolutions using the I.D.E.A.L. model.
Identifying the Problem
The proposed scenario concerns being alone in the room with a boy. A male friend invites me to his house after school. After watching TV in the living room, he suggests going to his room to listen to a K-Pop playlist with new BTS songs, which, as a K-Pop fan, I am very excited about it. However, my parents warned me about being alone with boys and would disapprove of the situation. Whether to agree to the proposition, refuse it, or suggest an alternative option is contingent on several factors, including whether the friend’s parents or siblings are home, whether the door to the room will be closed, and how well I know him. In addition, the decision and the undertaken actions will depend on whether that friend has ever shown a romantic interest in me and his sexuality if it was ever explicitly discussed. Furthermore, the parents’ warnings and advice on not spending time alone with boys should be heeded and their wishes respected.
Solutions to the Problem
Several solutions can be implemented to address the scenario in question. The first one is to agree to the suggestion to go up to the friend’s room. The communication style used in this case should be assertive. This style is appropriate if the friend’s parents are home, the friend has never expressed romantic feelings, or has openly stated his sexuality. Negotiation skills can be implemented to ensure the door in the room is opened if it makes all involved, including both sets of parents, more comfortable. Passive communication can also be used in the case of agreement. The second solution is to refuse the proposal, offering to continue watching TV.
Refusal skills and assertive communication should be used in this scenario. For example, if the friend’s parents are not home and he has expressed a romantic interest previously, it would be better to reject the idea, providing clear reasoning. Alternatively, respectfully declining the offer without explicit explanation would suffice. It is imperative to stay considerate and not to employ aggressive communication not to exacerbate the situation. Overall, assertive communication and negotiation skills are essential for expressing agreement and refusal.
The third solution to the problem is to offer to listen to the K-Pop playlist during the next visit to the friend’s house. Thus, if his parents are not home and the idea makes the guest uncomfortable, delay skills are used to postpone or avoid the suggested activity. Assertive communication can be employed to avoid being put in an unpleasant position and protect one’s rights. The fourth solution is to propose another pastime instead of listening to music or continuing to watch TV.
Both passive and assertive communication styles can be implemented in this case. Negotiation skills should be used in this case to reduce misunderstandings and reach the optimal arrangement. The final solution is to agree to listen to the playlist but insist on doing it in the living room instead of the friend’s bedroom. It is crucial to employ negotiation skills and assertive communication to enact this resolution. Overall, most of the recommended plans require the implementation of assertive communication and negotiation skills as they are vital for protecting and respecting the rights of both parties involved in the discussion.
Evaluation of Possible Solutions
Advantages and disadvantages
Each of the recommended solutions has specific advantages and disadvantages. The first plan of agreeing to the proposition has the advantage of preserving friendship and not offending a friend and an additional pro of listening to music. However, the drawbacks are being put in an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation and not respecting own rights. The second resolution to the critical problem is advantageous as it protects own rights and helps avoid an unpleasant situation. The disadvantage of this decision is the possibility of insulting a friend and creating unnecessary tension in the friendship. In addition, the desirable act of listening to music is avoided.
The third solution of delaying the activity has several distinctive pros and cons. The advantage of this plan is averting an uncomfortable situation of being left alone in the room with a boy and delaying the pastime for a more appropriate time. However, this choice may offend the friend in question, and there is a possibility of the offer of listening to K-Pop not being suggested again. The fourth resolution of proposing another activity is advantageous because it protects own rights and avoids a potentially threatening situation while heeding the parents’ advice. However, this choice might upset the friend who genially wants to listen to the music, and the desired activity of listening to the suggested playlist will not occur.
The final solution of agreeing to the offer but insisting it takes place in the living room helps deescalate a potentially endangering situation and protect own rights and interest while respecting the friend’s desire to listen to music. Nevertheless, the friend may be insulted by the suggestion and may either offer another venture or decide to continue watching TV.
Sources of pressure
There are several sources of pressure in the described scenario. Peer pressure is the primary concern in the discussed situation. The male friend can employ several tactics, including assertive communication and negotiation skills, to achieve the desired outcome and directly influence the decision. Peer pressure is exceptionally influential during one’s adolescent years and presents the main source of pressure in the identified scenario.
Parents and their warning about spending time alone with male friends also can be viewed as an additional source of pressure. Their opinion and arguments should be taken into consideration when making a choice. Furthermore, the desire to listen to music can be seen as a crucial cause of pressure in the situation. However, the peer and parent pressure take precedence in the depicted scenario.
Data and statistics related to the problem
The primary consideration in the described problem is being left alone in the room with a male friend and being exposed to a potentially hostile situation. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, 1in 5 girls become victims of sexual abuse compared to 1 in 20 boys. Furthermore, almost 30% of adolescents aged 14 to 17 are sexually victimized over their lifetime. Furthermore, most sexual assault offenses are carried out by perpetrators previously known to the victim. These statistics indicate that sexual assault of adolescent girls is highly prevalent in the country, and teenagers are more likely to be victimized by someone they know. This data should be taken into consideration when making the decision.
Community resources
Community resources for sexual abuse victims can be utilized during the decision-making process. For example, the ConnecTeen helpline for teenagers can be accessed to communicate the problem and ask for advice on what to do. The line can be phoned discreetly to request guidance on the situation as the counselors are trained to help adolescents navigate complex social situations and address peer pressure. Alternatively, ConnecTeen can be phoned after the choice is made to communicate the problem and ask for recommendations on further contact with the friend.
Identification of the best solution
The optimal decision for the discussed problem is the final one. It would be appropriate to agree to the proposition of listening to the new K-Pop playlist but insist on the change of venue from the friend’s bedroom to the living room. This solution will help determine whether listening to music is the friend’s primary wish or whether spending time alone is his main concern. Thus, the friend’s reaction to the proposed change of location will help better understand his motives and feelings. In addition, this resolution is respectful of the advice given by parents and reduces the chances of being sexually assaulted by preventing a potentially dangerous setting.
Acting on a Plan
The specific steps of acting on the plan include the initial agreement to the offer to listen to music and the following negation of location change from the friend’s bedroom to his living room. It is advised to use assertive communication with I statements to convey the desire to listen to music and the discomfort of being isolated in the bedroom. If the friend’s parents are not home, the point that listening to the playlist cannot disturb anyone in the living room can be addressed. The last step in the plan would be to note that the change of location would be preferable as it is a win-win outcome that would satisfy both parties.
Learning from the Plan
Making the wrong choice can lead to unexpected adverse results that may be difficult to predict and are entirely unexpected to the parties involved. This decision-making process illustrates that many factors should be considered in any uncertain situation and that all potential solutions have specific advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to decide quickly what outcomes of each resolution are more desirable and will result in more control over one’s health and life.
Any future decision can be informed by the ones made previously. For example, the outcomes of past choices can help understand how other people can react to someone being assertive or offering an alternative option to their propositions. Overall, the suggested scenario shows the importance of being assertive and able to negotiate the optimal outcome.