1. Grade 9 | Unit 9.1 | Page 9
Unit 9.1
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SO, HOW DO YOU REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD
OF BAD CONSEQUENCES?
Different risky behaviours have different probabilities
depending on:
• your choice (the PRICE decision-making process)
• the risky circumstances in which you find yourself
• your personality and character and
• sometimes sheer luck
• How much control do you have over these four
areas?
There’s nothing you can do about sheer luck (or bad
luck). Although you have some control over your own
personality or character, changing it is difficult. Also,
often circumstances in your community or family or
peer group are beyond your control, and you therefore
have only limited control over these. But you do have
lots of control over your own choice.
YOUR CHOICE: Since you have lots of control over
your decision-making process, you can reduce the risks
of bad consequences by making sensible decisions…
P - Identify the purpose of the action
R - Identify the risks, consequences and probabilities
I - Assess the reliability of your information
C - Consider compromises, and create alternatives
E - Enjoy the feeling of having made a good decision

2. Grade 9 | Unit 9.1 | Page 10
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YOUR HIGH-RISK CIRCUMSTANCES: You have only limited control
over the circumstances in which you live, but being aware of how they
can influence the probability of risk and bad consequences, will give
you a powerful tool in your decision-making, and will help you reduce
the likelihood of bad consequences.
YOUR PERSONALITY OR CHARACTER: As you grow older, you are
able to judge your own strengths and weaknesses better and so are
able to have some control over them. Understanding yourself better is
also an important part of being able to make good decisions and
thereby reducing the likelihood of bad consequences.
LUCK: You have no control over luck (good or bad luck). There is
nothing you can do to change your luck. However, knowing that
winning in games of chance (like Lotto, slot machines, coin tossing and
dice throwing) depends on luck, you are able to avoid irresponsible
behaviour like trying to win back your losses.
Levels of control
Lots of control Limited control No control
Decision-making Circumstances, Luck and games
personality of chance