Emotions and Decision-Making
Understand how emotions influence thinking and decision-making — that strong feelings can cloud judgement, that we often make different choices when calm versus when upset, and that recognising this gives us more control
What a learner can do afterwards
- Give an example of a time a strong emotion led them or someone else to a poor decision
- Explain the idea of 'cooling off' before making an important choice
- Describe how the same situation looks different when you're calm versus upset
The lesson
Every emotion sends signals through your body, and when a feeling gets really strong, it can take over your thinking for a while. That's why you might make a choice while you're upset that you wouldn't make once you're calm.
Jamal's little brother knocked over his block tower. Jamal felt so angry he wanted to yell and grab a toy back. Instead, he took a breath and waited a few minutes. Once he felt calmer, he asked his brother to help rebuild it instead.
Before you send an angry message or make a big choice, ask yourself: would calm-you agree with this? If you're not sure, wait until you feel calmer, then decide.
Strong feelings can crowd out clear thinking, so cooling off first helps you choose better.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.