Thoughts, Emotions & Decisions

Emotions are what we feel, and thoughts are what we say to ourselves in our heads.

• True

• False

Which of the following is a helpful thought?

• You get a bad grade on a test and think you're not good at anything.

• You get a bad grade on a test and think you should study harder for the next one.

• You overhear someone criticizing how you look and think that person is probably right.

• You get a compliment on a new outfit and think the person must be pretending to be nice.

According to research, which of the following is an easy and effective strategy for calming down?

• clenching your fists

• allowing your emotions to take over

• breathing slowly

• tensing your body

When you're feeling frustrated, what can help you make a good decision? Choose all that apply.

• counting slowly

• allowing your emotions to take over

• walking away

• taking deep breaths

Imagine someone has posted mean comments about you online. What are some bad decisions you could make based on your thoughts and feelings?

• Stay home pretending to be sick to cry over the comments

• Go to your friend and begin gossiping about the people who made the comments

• Post mean comments about that person online

• Talk with your parents about what you observed online

When you’re angry, what can help you make a good decision?

• Telling that person you are from the South Pole which is why you are an angry elf

• Following my emotions, because they’re always in charge of my decisions

• Pausing and calming down before deciding what to do

• Ask Cortnie's cat and Pet Rock (RIP)

Jabari just found out that he didn’t get invited to Brayden’s party, and he feels rejected. What are some

unhelpful thoughts he might be having? Choose all that apply.

• I bet everyone else got invited except me

• Maybe he didn’t invite everyone.

• I’m such a loser.

• I knew it—Brayden hates me.

Alexis just got a bad grade on her test. Which of the following is a helpful thought she could have?

• I should ask for help and study harder for the next test.

• School is a waste of time.

• I’m such an idiot.

• I always do badly on tests, so there’s no point in trying.

Which of the following is an example of an unhelpful thought leading to a bad decision?

• Jolene thinks she’ll do really badly on her presentation. She says she’s sick so she won’t have to

  go to school.

• Aidan thinks he doesn’t really understand the math assignment, so he asks for help.

• Calleb thinks it’s strange that he hasn’t heard from Alexis in a few days, so he texts her to find out

  what’s up.

• Zane thinks he could make the basketball team, so he practices every day before the tryouts.

When do scientists believe the brain fully develops

• In the teens
• In the 20s
• In the 30s
• Never