A teacher's guide to pitfalls in decision making

Special educators, families, and other professionals are confronted with a wide range of programs and practices, some of which are evidence- based and others that are controversial and unproven. They need to make responsible and informed decisions about the best interventions for students with disabilities. This paper explores the decision- making process and examines some of the cognitive, social and emotional biases that may be unconscious influences on decision making. It draws on the work of Cialdini, Gilovich, and others to provide a framework for the consideration of potential pitfalls in decision making. People who are aware of the limitations of natural decision making are more likely to make fully informed decisions based on sound information and are less likely to be misled by advocates of fads and unproven practices.