Decision-Making: A Crash Course
Have you ever found yourself in a group, in an uncomfortable moment when a decision needs to be made, yet it feels like everyone can’t get on the same page? Imagine being a jury member on a very important trial; half of the jury thinks the defendant is guilty, the other half thinks they are innocent, and everyone seems unable to sway each other’s decisions.
It’s fascinating how our backgrounds, identities, and core values can influence our decisions. In the case of the hung jury, each juror’s perspective is shaped by deeper contexts, upbringing, line of work, life experiences, and culture. According to psychologists, 90-95% of human decisions are based on emotions, and only 5-10% are based on logic and facts. This means a large majority of decisions are driven by emotions that are shaped by factors like positionality, identity, and values.
- Positionality: How your social and political contexts shape your identity, perspectives, and outlook on the world.
- Identity: How individuals perceive themselves within their familial, cultural, and occupational contexts and communicate this to others.
- Values: A set of beliefs about social processes, such as inequality.
When it comes to urgent environmental issues like climate change, where we are trying to shift people’s perspectives and drive their decision-making toward a more sustainable future, environmental professionals need to understand how and why others are making the decisions they do.
This guide explores how positionality, identity, and values are crucial in shaping our choices and opinions about the world around us. By understanding these elements, we can engage in more meaningful conversations and work towards solutions that resonate with diverse perspectives.
Positionality and Decision-Making
Positionality refers to how an individual’s social and political context shapes their understanding of and outlook on the world. Imagine this as how your various social identities (such as gender, race, class, ethnicity, ability, and geographical location) merge and how these identities and their intersections shape your understanding of and engagement with others.
In environmental decision-making, some positionalities that play a crucial role include:
- Socioeconomic Status: Those in higher socioeconomic positions may prioritize economic growth over environmental protection. In comparison, those in lower socioeconomic positions might be more concerned with immediate environmental impacts on their communities.
- Geographic Location: People living in coastal areas may be more inclined to support climate change mitigation policies due to their direct experience with sea-level rise and extreme weather events.
- Education and Background: Scientists and environmental experts may approach decisions with a more technical, data-driven perspective than those with other exposure and access to information.
Identity and Decision-Making
Identity encompasses the characteristics, social roles, and group memberships that define an individual. Think of this as what gives you a sense of who you are. Is it the activities you do? The social groups do you engage in? The sports team you support, or the city/country you live in? Do you define yourself by your religion or political party? Or more so by your race or gender identity?
The way you identify yourself can significantly influence your decision-making when it comes to the environment:
- Cultural Identity: Indigenous communities often make decisions based on traditional ecological knowledge and a deep connection to the land, prioritizing long-term sustainability.
- Political Identity: Conservatives may be more skeptical of climate change and resist environmental regulations, while liberals might be more supportive of aggressive climate action.
- Age Demographic: Younger generations, facing the long-term consequences of climate change, may be more inclined to support radical environmental policies.
Values and Decision-Making
Values are the ideals or beliefs an individual (or group) can hold, guiding their behavior and decision-making. Values determine what a person considers desirable or undesirable and shapes how they make their choices. Values serve as a framework for evaluating what is essential in life influencing attitudes, motivations, and actions.
They are fundamental in shaping environmental decisions:
- Ecocentric vs. Anthropocentric Values: Those with ecocentric values prioritize nature’s intrinsic worth, leading to decisions that protect ecosystems even at economic cost. Anthropocentric values focus on human needs, potentially favoring resource exploitation.
- Short-term vs. Long-term Thinking: Individuals valuing immediate gains might support policies that boost the economy at the expense of the environment. At the same time, those prioritizing future generations may advocate for stricter environmental protections.
- Individualism vs. Collectivism: Those valuing individualism might resist environmental regulations that limit personal freedoms, while those with collectivist values may be more willing to make personal sacrifices for the common good.
Accounting for positionality, identity, and values in decision-making:
1. Self-Reflection and Stakeholder Analysis
Begin by examining your own positionality, identity, and values, then analyze those of key stakeholders (affected parties) for your issue. Understand how their backgrounds and beliefs shape their perspectives on environmental issues and shape your argument, considering this new information.
2. Tailor Your Message
Craft your communication to resonate with your audience’s specific positionalities and values. Use language and examples that align with their worldview, addressing potential concerns while highlighting shared goals. Every person and group you work with will be different, so approach your persuasion techniques differently for these different contexts.
3. Build Alliances and Address Conflicts
Collaborate with diverse stakeholders (affected parties) to strengthen your influence. Prepare for differing viewpoints by finding common ground and developing strategies to address conflicts, ensuring a more inclusive approach to decision-making. Working with people who have an in with their community can go a long way in building trust and influencing decisions.
