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Author(s):
Gary Klein, Karl E. Weick
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Hot Topic(s):
Topic(s):
Human Dimensions of Fire Management
Decisionmaking & Sensemaking
Risk

NRFSN number: 16230
Record updated:

This article critiques two predominant forms of decision making: rational-choice and the intuitive approach. The authors suggest a more productive approach to decision making is the experiential, or “recognize/react,” approach. The experiential approach asserts that experience provides decision makers the ability to size up situations, recognize ways of reacting to situations, mentally map out options to see if they will work, focus on most relevant information, form expectancies, detect problems, and figure out ways to explain unusual events. Mental conditioning and experience help people become better decision makers and are an important part of this approach. For those who are serious about becoming proficient decision makers, the authors offer steps for mental conditioning. Steps include: defining decision requirements (time pressures, constraints, and so on), obtaining feedback about decisions made, making up scenarios (experiences) and using them, observing how the decision maker manages uncertainty, and taking advantage of people who have expertise.

Citation

Klein G, Weick KE. 2000. Decisions: making the right ones. Learning from the wrong ones. Across the Board. June. p. 16-22.

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