A decision is a conscious or unconscious choice between several different alternatives on the basis certain preferences of or several decision maker they can spontaneously, coincidentally or rationally take place. A rationally justified decision depends on already previous marked out goals or existing The decision becomes by that or the decision makers according to objective and subjective decision criteria pleases.

For decision making are important the antizipierten desired and unwanted consequences Entscheids.Dem decision follow its Umzusetzung or at least the attempt for this, otherwise it concerns not a decision but only around a thought simulation. However also the possibility knows, not of committing themselves (omission alternative), a permissible alternative of representing. The choice can be shifted on a later time, which presupposes however that the selectable alternatives remain.

On the basis the effectively caused consequences of the decision the success of a decision can be measured at a later time. The quality of a decision is based on how well the consequences from the decision fulfill the decision criteria and did not hurt possible further boundary conditions.

On the basis a retrospective evaluation of the decision quality, teachings can be drawn for future decisions. An intelligent system or individual can learn thereby out passed false estimates and come future to better decisions. This presupposes however that the environmental factors and effect mechanisms, which determine the decision situation and those on the decision the following consequences do not change drastically. Experiences and from the past derived learning effects improve the decision behavior however then only if the current decision situation is comparable with the past situations. Decisions are usually, necessary and necessary in all fields of the science and in all areas of life. They cause a change in each case with the decision article.

The statistics and economics are concerned in the decision theory with the question about the optimal decision.

The word is to decide of, thus e.g. the sword from its sheath pulls to come, since one does not fight oneself evenly between to then fight and/or decided.

Decision steps

Complex decisions carry out themselves in several steps:

1. Determine a decision need (see also agenda Setting)
2. Analysis of the decision surrounding field
3. Determination of the decision alternatives
4. Berurteilung of the possible consequences of each alternative
5. Decision and conversion of an alternative
6. Observation of the further process and if necessary revision of the Entschiedes and/or current examination on need according to subsequent decisions

Decision object

Decisions can be divided into the reference to the decision article:

Cybernetic view

Under cybernetic view the decisions of a system (or a form a time-discrete regulation cycle in that the system interacted with the system environment. The same decision can e.g. several times or again and again pleases to become. (e.g. I a moderate party or I remain also the question is in the connection whether a decision pleases unconsciously become can and who or which has at all the ability for deciding.

In the broad sense a decision does not presuppose necessarily a consciousness, like that as the entscheinende not necessary humans to be must. So an organism or also a machine, a technical of devices and/or plant decisions can fall. In particular software programs are understood as programmed automats and machines.

Thus an amoeba decides whether it itself on a source of attraction or away from it moved and a heating regulation employs the burner, if the thermostat measures a temperature maintenance the lower threshold value. In practically each software program conditioned instructions exist, which on the basis a logical expression for sequence statements alternative of two decide.

Also human decisions are often unconsciously and reflex-like automated. Humans fall i.d.R. thousands of decisions daily without for a long time to consider, which are settled often in fractions of a second.

Most computer programs serve the support of human decisions. There are however quite also programs the autonomous decisions meets on those our lives to depend can (example: Abs brake system). Consciousness and will ability seem to be however the condition for complex Entscheidungen.In different social Teilsystemem such as politics, enterprise, media run different complex decision-making processes, which are characteristic of these subsystems.

Decision maker

The decision takes place through or several decision makers, who are legitimized for the decision. A decision pulls planned, often in addition, unexpected consequences, for which the question arises, to what extent this responsibility from the decision makers is to be carried to.

Decision article

Depending upon kind of the decision the alternatives refer to different categories of decision articles. According to the the subject of the decision can be differentiated after

• Action decision: Choice from two or several action alternatives
• Goal decision: Definition of one or more goals (see goal regulation), which for the further action decisions to be determining to be supposed
• Relations decision: Establishment of contact or - abort, entering social relations and their organization and care, connections or contracts
• Organization decision: Choice of the basic conditions, standards or rules, which should be obligatory on the further social interaction.

Decision sequences

The effects of a decision can be short, means or long-term nature. The consequences and effects of a decision continue to determine whether it can be cancelled if necessary or amended, or whether it is irrevocable. Often a decision brings the necessity for subsequent decisions to the situation by change.

Decisions the normative and long-term consequences are particularly important have and the different human communities to concern, e.g. political decisions.

Acceptance and contestation of a decision

In the social, social and political context are concerned beside the decision maker often also different humans of the consequences of a decision. These have only a limited or no influence on the decision procedure. It is important nevertheless for the co-operation of the groups and/or the stability of the social order, which accepts at least a majority of the concerning a decision and its consequences. Without acceptance of a decision and or the decision makers often comes it to criticism, protest and controversy. In the modern society therefore by the national legal order barriers are set to the freedom of action and decision of the individuals. As the decision makers for some decisions to legitimize itself must legitimize itself, must often also the opponent of a decision for the contestation. Also in the enterprise the acceptance of the decision is usually taken by the concerning by the decision makers importantly. The consequences of a decision can

• with security admits its (see decision under security)
• in its developments and admits its probability of arrival its, concerning its probability of arrival however unknown (see decision under uncertainty)
• in her developments its, but with unknown quantity admits probability of arrival (see decision under uncertainty)

Naturally a decision can lead also too not foreseen consequences.

Articles in category "Decision"

We found here 10 articles.

Related Websites

We found here 5 related websites.

• Atomic Bomb - Decision
  Documents on the decision to use the atomic bomb.


• Decision Games
  Publisher of wargames in both board and computer format, and three wargaming magazines.


• Decision Making Techniques and Decision Making Skills - Mind Tools
  Learn how to make good decisions. This Mind Tools section introduces you to a range of useful decision making techniques.


• Decision Sciences Institute
  Aids communication between decision science practioners.


• O:JonesNeiburgDover Area School DistrictFinal Dover Opinion.wpd
  the Supreme Court