Navigating the Streets: Emotions, Peers, and Decision-Making

Emotions and peers can have a dramatic effect on your decision-making and self-control. First, take a look at what emotions are and define them. Some are positive and others are negative. This does not mean they are good or bad, it just indicates the level of emotion you are experiencing.

How you feel at a given moment can determine the decisions you make, and what you do or say to another person. Just as you are responsible for your actions on the road, you are responsible for your actions in life. One bad decision, or a decision you do not think through well enough, could result in a wrong turn, ticket, or an accident that leads to the injury or death of you or someone else.

In this topic, you will learn how emotions and peers impact your ability to make decisions. Similarly, you will examine the decision-making model. This process can benefit you throughout your life, as it will help you consider possible decisions and their consequences, as well as the best decision for a particular situation.

Essential Questions

• How do positive and negative emotions influence your reactions?
• How do peers influence your reactions?
• How can you become empowered?