In the article, “Do We Make Decisions, or Do Our Decisions Make Us,” James Stein uses the topic of a man finding a wife with the same qualities as his mother as an example of how we approach the decision making process. He compares his dating experience to that of a friend who has many of the same personality traits as him. Stein says that he spent most of his time dating women who were nothing like his mother, but felt that they weren’t right and married a woman just like her. However, his friend, Dick, married a woman just like his mother and it ended up in divorce. Their views on the decision that they made and the decision making process in general are completely different. James believes that “we make our decisions, receive feedback from whether they work or not, and then learn which decisions to make” (Stein). While on the other hand, Dick thinks that we should study how we’ve been brought up to make the right decisions in a certain way and overcome that step to make actual good decisions.
I enjoyed the way the author made his point through his own personal experience. It showed me that while you may have two people who are very much alike, more than likely there is still something that makes them unique. This article was a good look at how people interpret situations differently. Stein takes the trial and error path, while his friend chooses to be more psychological about his choices. Another helpful thought was his suggestion of taking both paths and seeing if you come to the same decision. If you do, then you’re probably making the right choice.
Stein, James. "You Are What You Decide: Do We Make Decisions, or Do Our Decisions Make Us?." Psychology Today 26 Feb. 2010: n. pag. Web. 25 Mar 2010.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/you-are-what-you-decide/201002/do-we-make-decisions-or-do-our-decisions-make-us
