What is Decision: Definition and 163 Discussions

In psychology, decision-making (also spelled decision making and decisionmaking) is regarded as the cognitive process resulting in the selection of a belief or a course of action among several possible alternative options, it could be either rational or irrational. Decision-making process is a reasoning process based on assumptions of values, preferences and beliefs of the decision-maker. Every decision-making process produces a final choice, which may or may not prompt action.
Research about decision-making is also published under the label problem solving, particularly in European psychological research.

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  1. R

    Schools Did I Make the Wrong Decision for my Mechanical Engineering PhD Program?

    I will be starting a Mechanical Engineering PhD program at a highly ranked university this upcoming fall. When I first made my decision where to attend, things were fairly turbulent and I was still very unsure what I wanted to accomplish with my research. The entire application and decision...
  2. C

    Engineering Advise on mechanical engineering to physics decision

    Hi everyone, I’m a 23 year old female, currently in my final semester of a mechanical engineering degree. I’ll start with some background information... I've loved physics and astronomy since first reading about black holes and the life cycle of stars in Dad's ancient Encyclopedia...
  3. F

    Schools Which College is Better for a Future in Physics: NYU or University of Rochester?

    I've recently been accepted into two schools, New York University and the University of Rochester, but I'm having trouble deciding which is best for a future in physics. Financially, they end up about the same (NYU is insignificantly more expensive), so money is not an issue. Rochester...
  4. P

    Tough decision to be made guys

    Dear chemistry and engineering peers, I attend a ____________ university and am enrolled in what I thought was a three by two degree plan with a neighboring engineering university(my school doesn't have engineering). I'm a chemistry major that plans on getting a dual degree in both chemistry...
  5. D

    Making the Right Choice: Deciding on an REU Program | Quick Advice

    Hi I applied to a lot of REU's for this summer and actually got accepted into one which I am so glad for. The problem is that I don't know if I should accept this one right away or wait to hear from some more and make a decision then. They are giving me 03/08/13 to make a final decision (which...
  6. D

    Decision Tree to DNF proof

    Homework Statement How can we proof that a decision tree can be written as a DNF? Homework Equations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disjunctive_normal_form A boolean form made of literals (X1 and X2 and X3) or'ed with other literals f = ( (X1 and X2 and X3) or (X4 and X5 and X6) ) The...
  7. F

    I really decision about dropping out of graduate program

    I recently started a terminal masters program in physics. Shortly after starting, I had a big anxiety issue that I never had in my life before. In my undergrad I worked 2 jobs, was in a fraternity, was in a physics program full time and had a social life. I managed to make it all work and life...
  8. Doofy

    Faced with the first decision during my PhD?

    I'm 1 year into my PhD, in HEP physics and without going into specifics, my time has been spent doing computer simulations. From the start of my PhD there was the option to do some actual hardware work, and while this did sound interesting, I never really got started on it. My simulation work...
  9. M

    Smart Guy, Bad Decision - Dealing With Consequences

    So I am a physics major...This isn't relevant, just thought I'd mention as much. Anyway, after feeling a bit lonely in college, I tried, indiscriminately to meet women. I pretty much gave up on anything meaningful because I'm so much of an anomaly.Again, irrelevant information. One of the women...
  10. F

    Decision making based on entropy reduction

    Hello guys, I just registered on this forum, so I hope you can help me with some differential entropy stuff. So I have made the attached pdf file (it's a bit messy, sorry) that demonstrates a toy version of the problem I'm trying to solve. Thing is I'm quite new to information theory, so...
  11. G

    Engineering or Physics: Making the Tough Decision

    I'm currently entering my sophomore year, and am having doubts about my decision to major in physics. Technically I'm undecided science, and I'm really thinking of switching to engineering before I take any more physics courses. The main reason is the money. My parents own a small business...
  12. J

    Programs Can I Pursue a Civil Engineering Career with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics?

    Hey Everyone! I’m new here so I’d appreciate some help Well I’m in a dilemma, I struggled so much to choose a career path and I’m still indecisive but I’m pretty sure that I want to become an engineer specifically civil or environmental, I’d like to contribute in something for my society in...
  13. K

    What Defines a Firm's Decision Problem in Game Theory?

    Here is just a general question. I've got a game theory question, which asks to solve a firm's decision problem. How do I define the decision problem? Is it an equation that equates the total probability of all the events to some outcomes?
  14. 1

    Is choosing a major based on job prospects a bad decision?

    Am i making a bad decision?? Ok so i have been studying mechatroincs for around a year and a half and now after i know more about the subject it isn't as interesting as before. My problem is that i want to study and hopefully work in an area that iam passionate about and its kind of a big...
  15. P

    Every decision I make makes my life a little bit worse and I don’t wish to live anymo

    I graduated in 2008 with an EE degree and entered grad school immediately after. I excelled and did ok in my classes and research but I knew I wasn’t doing as well as I could have been doing (got a couple B minuses too). At the end of the first year I started getting paranoid that I was going...
  16. P

    Making my move, one tough decision at a time.

    I just joined the forums here, after reading through several pages of incredibly useful advice. I'm mostly beginning this thread to organize my thoughts, but I'm in need/want of advice at all times during this process. You all are knowledgeable and helpful, so any commentary is appreciated...
  17. B

    Schools Needing help choosing a university for eng Big decision

    Needing help choosing a university for eng! Big decision! Hey guys, long story short I am a 17 year old in southern Ontario kid who has been admitted to every university I applied to mechanical engineering. To make things simple, I have narrowed the my choices to two universities: Queens and...
  18. J

    Important Decision to make about honors/non-honors

    So I'm taking quantum mechanics and I'm within the threshold of getting an A in the class. My professor assigned a problem set that we can either do for extra credit OR for honors in the class. Most "honors" physics classes at my university are kinda a joke in that they just require you...
  19. C

    Undergraduate Physics decision help?

    I am a current high-school senior and was recently accepted into Hopkins, Duke and Cornell. I intend to major in Physics (although not 100% sure) and was wondering, how greatly would choosing anyone of these schools affect my career choices? I've heard overwhelmingly that graduate school is what...
  20. Z

    Which project should I choose for my final year project?

    Hey guys, I have a good job lined up for me after I graduate with a good company, i am currently 8 months away from graduation. I have a diffcult desicion to make about my final year project. I have been offered projects from two companies and one of them is the one i start working for at the...
  21. T

    Schools Which Alberta University is Best for Undergrad Physics?

    I'm planning on going to university in Alberta for at least my first year as I want to remain closer to home at first. I'm majoring in physics and was wondering if U of Alberta or U of Calgary would be the better choice. Right now my preferred choice is Calgary as I enjoy the city a lot more...
  22. R

    Where is the arrow of time if every decision is essentially instant?

    In John Gribbin's book 'Schrödinger's Kittens and the Search for Reality', Gribbins describes a quantum interpretation that claims to solve the so called,'spooky action at a distance'. From what I've gathered, perhaps naively, is that quantum entities spontaneously communicate through the act of...
  23. M

    Schools Does Yale Have a Clear Advantage in Nuclear Theory Over Duke?

    I am interested in nuclear theory, and I was accepted to both Duke and Yale. I really like the research at Duke, and my best friend was admitted to the Duke law program. I also know that Yale has an excellent nuclear physics program and is generally regarded as the better institution. Am I crazy...
  24. A

    Programs The ultimate decision for a BS degree: Physics VS. Engineering

    So I've been in the lymboo of decision for my BS degree, should I go for Physics or pic an Engineering major. I really like physics and definitely like what the major leads to (research, teachings .. etc) However I'm always haunted by the thought of being poor and not being able to continue to...
  25. T

    Schools Advice for my undergrad school decision

    Hello I am currently in the midst of filling out my applications to apply to a few colleges and I was wondering is there really a huge difference between state ran schools? I am looking to apply at Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle University, University of Washington, Oregon State...
  26. F

    Medical Ego Depletion and Decision Fatigue

    So I've become aware that the more "good" choices we make, the easier it is to make a "bad" choice, e.g. if you're on a diet for a couple of months, its very easy to slip and have a piece of chocolate cake, that sort of thing. Here's the wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego_depletion So...
  27. D

    Waiting for a postdoctoral application's decision: what to do next?

    I'm applying for a postdoc position, say, in Australia. At the end of the interview, the reviewer said that the decision would be made soon after one or two weeks. Now four weeks passed, no recalls. It seems that the host institution has contacted my first PhD supervisor in the first week, and...
  28. S

    Programs Major decision/ Double major?

    I have to choose an undergrad major but I’m not sure.. I’m torn between these 3 majors: civil eng, mathematics, interior design My interests are very vast(that’s why I’m very indecisive about my major); it’s mostly math and arts, buildings/roads/bridges/interiors/furniture/ My strengths...
  29. O

    Schools Complicated Grad School Decision Help

    After years of diligence, my undergraduate program will be ending after this year. I have yet to decide on any graduate schools to apply to and don't really think it is worth applying to schools I am sure I won't be accepted to. My problems are as follows: -My GPA is at a 3.23 entering my...
  30. AJKing

    Is it a wise decision to move out?

    Hey PF, I'm 19 and I live at home. This fall I will be studying first year Engineering at a University down the street. It's not cheap and I certainly need to be employed, as well as, take out a loan to subsidize the expense. Initially, this is all the reason in the world to stay at home...
  31. B

    Help with decision for engineering curriculum

    Hello all, I have been reading these forums for a while and I must say that they are an excellent resource for anyone who has decided to pursue a life of physics, mathematics or engineering. That being said, I have decided to turn to the forums for help. Here is the story, I have always...
  32. A

    13th Hour Decision to Do a BSc. Physics in India

    Hi, I'm a 20 year old science student, having just cleared my 12th from CBSE. I skipped the 12th exams twice for several medical reasons, and my scores this year are as follows: Eng: 46 Phy: 71 Chem: 78 Math: 33 CompSci: 77 I will send the English paper for a re-eval, since I wasn't...
  33. B

    Become a Particle Physicist: What You Need to Know

    Hello, I am going to make you think I am crazy with the very notion of can he do it. I am 37. I have been many things but not what I would like to be. I have always wanted to be a particle physicist. I am in my first year of returning to college after some things. can someone point me in...
  34. D

    Schools Making a Grad School Decision - Advice Needed

    I have been accepted to a few graduate schools for a PhD in Math. I have been accepted to most schools for the fall but one said I could come during the summer with tuition and fees waived and a stipend. Can I attend this university for the summer only and then transfer to the school I want...
  35. G

    Great, I think I made a prof mad with my decision

    I declined an offer at a school, wrote an email explaining to one of the profs at the school (who was pushing REALLY hard to get me to go there) why I chose to attend another school, and can tell that he is extremely upset/mad (?). Great, I haven't even entered the field yet and I'm already...
  36. H

    Fukushima Fukushima: Building the Dike, Filling Water, Solution in 5-6 Years

    We build the dike round Fukushima (radius 1-2 km) and filling water. Artificial lake we cover the polyethylene tape on foam plastics buoys (for the delete of gases). For 5-6 years it is possible to find the decision of problem, or to dismantle under water. Excuse me for my English. I hope I...
  37. C

    Schools Deciding Grad School: Same Institution for BA & PhD?

    Hi. I'm in condensed matter experiment, and I was wondering whether employers (in academia or industry) would look less favorably on hiring people whose BA institution and PhD institution are the same. I've heard different answers from different people about this question. Some say that...
  38. E

    Navigating Internship Offers: Asking for a Decision and Changing Your Mind

    Is it out of line to politely ask a prospective employer to make a hiring decision in a certain amount of time? Specifically, I'm applying for internships right now. I was just offered a job by my B choice and they would like me to accept or reject the offer by this weekend. My 'A' choice, in...
  39. A

    (aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering) my difficult decision

    Hello! I know this is a popular topic. But I really need help. I am going to study Aerospace Engineering ( undergraduate) . The problem is that I have already applied for Aerospace Engineering, and now I am hesitating about Aero Eng. or Mech. Eng. I like Engineering. My problem is that I am...
  40. A

    Solve Decision Analysis: SPWA Drill with/without Seismic Survey

    Hello guys! Can you help me check whether the decision tree is right? And also how to compute for letters b, c, and d. :? Homework Statement SHEEHAN PETROLEUN WILDCATTER ASSOCIATES Pat Sheehan came to Texas - Oklahoma area from his native Ireland 20 years ago. He quickly went to work for...
  41. stringy

    Grad School Decision: Leveraging Offers?

    Hello everybody, I applied to eight graduate schools in mathematics and so far I have received two acceptances. Out of those eight, there are really only four that I'm truly interested in, with the other four being safety schools. Of the two acceptances that I've received so far, one of them...
  42. 1

    Should I Choose Electrical or Civil Engineering Despite Job Market Trends?

    I'm having a trouble deciding what engineering field should I go. I'm a student in a community college and studying physics right now. I'm fascinated anything that associate with electricity. Although I haven't learned the physics about the electricity yet(but I will learn it next quarter)...
  43. M

    Courses Upper-level course decision: Solar converters vs. space physics

    I am a 4th year Phy UG on a 5 yr plan and need some advice, these two courses overlap so I can't take both. I am interested in both topics but have more background in astrophysics, not much in the engineering area. I guess my indecision stems from a larger crisis I am having in trying to...
  44. S

    Decision making, propability and bluff?

    So, I was playing a game with some friends played with dice, and I though it would be interesting to see how a computer can be programmed to play it. I don't know it's name, but I'll explain and then phrase the problem: Each player has 5 dice. Round begins, everyone rolls their dice secretly...
  45. E

    Programs I'm about to declare my major (am I making the right decision?)

    This is not so much so expecting an answer (it's a long post) as spilling my thoughts. PF has been feeling like family to me, since I've gotten everything from high school decisions, relationship advice, homework help etc., to what sort of pens I should buy from here. Nonetheless, some advice...
  46. S

    Admissions How the admission decision is made?

    I have been wondering how the admission decisions are made in different universities. At cambridge, you only need to get approved by the supervisor you name and the head of the department. But at Harvard, it's the admission committee that makes the decision, and contacting a professor usually...
  47. G

    Programs Balancing Grad School & Double Majoring: Decision Time!

    Basically I have most of my classes required to graduate, but due to the lack of availability of some classes it will still take me about 3 more semesters after the current semester. So I was considering double majoring with math, so it would be physics + math major. Since I was already a...
  48. I

    Schools Difficult decision: domestic masters or graduate school abroad?

    Hey all, I'm currently facing a difficult decision about the next step in my academic career and I was wondering if anyone here might be able share any insights or perhaps explain how they got through a similar situation. Sorry in advance for a long post, no need to read the whole thing...
  49. S

    News US judge cites Sharia Law in decision

    In a recent case in New Jersey, a judge cited the husband's religion in a case where his wife asserted she was raped by her husband and was seeking a protective order. Contrary to some reports, the judge did not say the husband was legally entitled to sexual relations with his wife against her...
  50. S

    Buying car on credit, is this a sound decision?

    Ok little bit about me. I am 25yro, male, single. I look like one of those guys who's got their stuff together: muscular, clean cut, fashionable, well spoken. Until you see my car: 96 honda accord with duct tape covering some rust. I live all by myself, I pay for everything, but I am unemployed...
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