When making decisions rationally, emotions are not supposed to be involved. However, this does not always happen under certain circumstances. Emotions are defined as conscious mental reactions and strong feelings which are, therefore, likely to be involved in decision-making.
Emotions are triggered by various feelings and moods. This means that we make decisions depending on what we feel during a certain period of time. For example, when you are angry, you tend to be rash and harsh in what you do and say.You are then influenced by your hormones to make abrupt decisions that you might regret doing in the first place. Another example would be when you are so fearful, that you become pessimistic about your decisions. Rather than thinking objectively, you allow yourself to drown in your fears of the possibilities of failure and disappointment. Finally, when you become overwhelmed with happiness, you find it difficult to control yourself from making decisions that preserve that happiness.
The rational planning model states that the first step would be to figure out your goal and its possible outcomes. This first step involves reflecting on what you desire to happen and what will become of it. The second step states that you should gather data which comprises of the details of the problem and its possible solutions. The third step talks about formulating alternatives by thinking of other plausible ways the problem can be solved. The fourth one is about making a list of the pros and cons of each alternative. This step allows you to ponder on which solution is best for you. The fifth step is where you make the decision and it here where you decide if the decision you are about to make is rational enough. The sixth step states that you should take action immediately. You have done enough thinking and deciding, so it is the right time for you to make it happen. Though you have already done what you wanted to do, you must not forget the seventh step that talks about reflecting on the decision you have just made.
The aforementioned model is effective when there is adequacy in information. Although, like everything else, it has its limitations such as its requirement of great deals of information and time, and its assumption of complete rationality and accuracy.
Reference
“Emotion”. Wikipedia. n.p., n.d. Web. 5 July 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotion>
“Rational Planning Model”. Wikipedia. n.p., n.d. Web. 5 July 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_planning_model#Requirements_and_limitations>
“Emotions in decision-making”. Wikipedia. n.p., n.d. Web. 5 July 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotions_in_decision-making>
“Rational Decision Making”. Boundless. n.p., n.d. Web. 5 July 2014. <https://www.boundless.com/management/decision-making/rational-and-nonrational-decision-making/rational-decision-making/>
