The Impact of Biases on Decision Making

When you’re making a decision, there’s often a few ways you gather information before moving forward.   Like doing your own research, weighing the decision on your own, and seeking the opinions of others.    Asking mom. Asking dad. Asking friends and asking influencers. And when we say “influencer”, we’re not talking about the YouTube or Instagram influencers you follow, we’re talking about the everyday people in your life that you know and trust.    However, the opinions, or shall we say biases, we seek out from others are often based on the context of the decision we have to make.    For example, who would you turn to before trying out a new hairstyle or new game? Who would you talk to if you wanted to adopt a dog? Or maybe a cat?   Now think: who are you seeking support from in making a decision about your post-secondary pathway? See how heavy that sits compared to a new hairstyle?   In this episode, Michelle shares why it’s important to be intentional about who you ask for an opinion, and consider the lived experiences and biases of these individuals. She also covers a few common scenarios you may be facing in your post-secondary decision making process, and how to ensure you’re making an informed decision that works for YOU. Psst: Guidance counselors! This episode is for you, too! Need additional support in your post-secondary decision making? Grab our worksheet! Or book a call with a CanGap gap year expert (like Michelle!) to help you in deciding if a gap year is right for you.