In the context of stress and decision making, which of the following is most important for individuals to be successful decision makers?

• A. Avoiding all stressful situations whenever possible
• B. Making decisions quickly without reflecting on possible outcomes
• C. Relying solely on intuition without considering available information
• D. The ability to manage emotional responses under pressure

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of stress in decision making: Stress can impact cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and reasoning, which are crucial for making effective decisions.
2. Recognize that avoiding all stressful situations is not practical or beneficial, as some stress can motivate and enhance performance, but excessive stress impairs decision quality.
3. Consider why making decisions quickly without reflection can lead to errors, as it bypasses critical evaluation of possible outcomes and consequences.
4. Evaluate the limitations of relying solely on intuition, which may ignore important information and lead to biased or incomplete decisions.
5. Conclude that the key to successful decision making under stress is the ability to manage emotional responses, allowing individuals to maintain clarity, think critically, and make balanced choices despite pressure.