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Fewer choices, better choices
Avanti Academy / Complexity, decisions and innovation / Solving Complex Problems and Decision Making / Bitesize
Bitesize

Fewer choices, better choices

Decision fatigue and ethical decision making.

Level
Bitesize
Learning time
1 hour 15 minutes
Where
Solving Complex Problems and Decision Making
Price
£39

When you step up to a higher level, what you paid in the last 12 months for lower-level courses inside the bigger course comes off its price, in proportion to how much of each is inside it, whichever topic it's from. Courses at the same or a lower level don't give credit against each other. A Focus course or above always costs at least £15. Read the full terms

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About this course

Overview and Outcomes.

Overview

This module turns from the decision to the decision maker. It draws on Barry Schwartz's paradox of choice to show why more options can leave people more anxious and less satisfied, and on decision fatigue to show how judgement degrades across a day of decisions. The hungry judge study and Gloeckner's reanalysis model how to cite challenged evidence honestly, and practical responses work at personal and organisational levels. Some decisions are not missing information; they are genuine clashes of value. This module shows how to recognise an ethical decision and test it against three classical lenses: utilitarian (Bentham and Mill), deontological (Kant) and virtue based (Aristotle). A council budget dilemma shows how lenses can agree on different foundations or disagree, and NICE's cost per QALY threshold models naming a hard trade off openly rather than hiding it in a number.

What you'll develop

In this Bitesize, you will develop the ability to:

  1. Explain the three mechanisms behind the paradox of choice and design a shortlist of three or four differentiated options.
  2. Distinguish decision fatigue from choice overload and identify signs of depletion in your own judgement.
  3. Describe a contested finding such as the hungry judge effect accurately, stating both the original claim and the challenge to it.
  4. Identify when a decision is an ethical choice about competing values rather than an analysis problem.
  5. Apply the utilitarian, deontological and virtue lenses in turn to a real dilemma and compare what each gives you.
What it covers

The Modules.

1 hour 15 minutes of learning.

  1. 19The Paradox of Choice and Decision FatigueThis module turns from the decision to the decision maker. It draws on Barry Schwartz's paradox of choice to show why more options can leave people more anxious and less satisfied, and on decision fatigue to show how judgement degrades across a day of decisions. The hungry judge study and Gloeckner's reanalysis model how to cite challenged evidence honestly, and practical responses work at personal and organisational levels.38 min
  2. 20Ethical Decision-Making FrameworksSome decisions are not missing information; they are genuine clashes of value. This module shows how to recognise an ethical decision and test it against three classical lenses: utilitarian (Bentham and Mill), deontological (Kant) and virtue based (Aristotle). A council budget dilemma shows how lenses can agree on different foundations or disagree, and NICE's cost per QALY threshold models naming a hard trade off openly rather than hiding it in a number.38 min
Where it fits

Keep going.

Part of the Solving Complex Problems and Decision Making topic, also sold whole as Clear calls in complex times.

How credit works

Go deeper, and pay only the difference

  1. You are hereBitesize, 1 hour 15 minutes, £39
  2. Next stepFocus, Under pressure, with integrity, 3 hours, £69. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £30.
  3. Explore, Tools for hard choices, 7 hours, £129. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £90.
  4. The whole topicImmerse, Clear calls in complex times, 13 hours 30 minutes, £249. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £210.

When you step up to a higher level, what you paid in the last 12 months for lower-level courses inside the bigger course comes off its price, in proportion to how much of each is inside it, whichever topic it's from. Courses at the same or a lower level don't give credit against each other. A Focus course or above always costs at least £15. Prices per person. Read the full terms

Other Bitesize in the Solving Complex Problems and Decision Making topic

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