Option 2: Susan’s Dilemma

Looking Ahead

This week, we look at how understanding ourselves helps our ability to think critically. As you complete your work, think of Susan’s experience. How has wanting effected Susan’s thought process? How has feeling effected Susan’s reasoning? How has thinking played a role in Susanàdecision making?After reading the introduction this week, think about Susan’s situation and respond to the following:

Describe how Susanàsituation relates to what you learned this week about how understanding ourselves helps our ability to think critically.

What kind of questions should Susan be considering to address her dilemma? How does egocentric thinking and sociocentric thinking influence Susanàdilemma?

Respond to the following learners posts:

LEARNER 1—–——-Reading Susan’s Dilemma this week has truly shown so much growth on her part. She has been working endlessly trying to better herself.Susan has even done plenty of research around the options her peers have given her for Joe’s situation as well. The only issue that arises is the financial portion. Susan’s mother should have worked with her when she knew she could not financially help Joe out in the beginning. I personally found that Susan’s mother is the main person who falls under the category of egocentric thinking. I find that all things lead to how things made her feel or affected her, without taking into consideration Susan’s wellbeing overall. I find that Susan tries to please everyone in some manner, mostly only caring about how this will appease the groups around her overall. Susan needs to develop a form of rational thinking: one that does not revolve too much around herself or what others want, but more so what is right overall.

LEARNER 2……………..So Susan’s mom has decided to bail Joe out of jail and get him a lawyer. Susan has also been receiving suggestions from her “friends” on what she should do about this situation. I notice Susan is taking everything in and trying to figure it out. She is now understanding that thinking critically about her next move can make a big impact on her life. rather it’s sending Joe off to boarding school booth camp or other. 

• How are this learneràthoughts the same as yours?
• How are this learneràthoughts different from yours?

What questions do you have that this learner could answer?

What words of advice could you offer this learner?

Susans dilema ,Gathering Information

• “My mom has hired a lawyer for Joe,” Susan tells her friends. “And heàout on bail. Now I need to figure out what to do for him`feel like I failed.”
• “I’m done applying for the day,” Mike says. “I’ll help look for options.”
• “There’s a boot camp for troubled teens I heard about,” Christy chimes in.
• “Is that the one where a boy died on a hike?,” Juan asks.

“No,” Christy points to her computer. “It’s this one.” Susan looked over Christy’s shoulder and reads about the program. It sounds greatxcept for the considerable price tag.

“Here’s a boarding school thatàrun in military style,” Mike says. “The reviews are great.”

“And here’s a free after-school program,” Juan says. “My dad highly recommends it.”

“Can we find out more about them from a third party?” Susan asks. “The information here all sounds amazing, but they’re advertising for their programs.”

They all search the Internet for better information. Juan finds a site run by a watchdog group that reports on inadequate juvenile programs. Mike finds a state Web site that lists recommended youth programs. Christy finds consumer reports on two of the programs. All the information points to the boarding school as the best solution. Susan starts an application, even though she has no idea how she can pay for it.