These decisions attempt to solve the problems related to value conflicts within and between role expectations, obligations, ideals, and belief and also with learning new roles and relationship, modifying old ones. These decisions differ from technical or economic decision because here the goals are not specific with known number of alternatives, from which one can be selected. Here the course of action has to be developed through the adjustment or mutual modification of roles. This process of adjustment and modifications are more for social environment. During the process of social decisions making values and goals themselves may be modified, usually in an unconscious process.
Social decisions differ from economic decisions in several ways. In the two previous categories resource allocation and choosing among alternatives were involved in the decision making process. Social decisions mean that interaction is taking place. Thus the values, goals, and standards of each person are involved. The communication taking place also has a bearing upon the process.
Social decisions may involve conflicting values and role perceptions. Part of the decision making process in social decisions involves recognizing these and determining the cause. Therefore social decisions may never be truly resolved to the ultimate satisfaction of all involved individuals.
The risk factor involves values and roles. Since each individual participates in these decisions using his values and on the basis of role perceptions, the risk factor includes value and role conflicts.
Participants