Judgment Calls: High-Stakes Decisions in a Risky World

In a well-reasoned exposition of how to reach sound decisions, psychologist Mowen ( Consumer Behavior ) contrasts the correct decisions that informed NASA's successful moon landing with the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, which he attributes to a politically motivated cost-control elimination of an escape system. In non-technical, readable prose, Mowen emphasizes the importance of high-grade mechanical elements and good judgment to meet unforeseen situations, whether the projects concern finance, government, medicine, law, sports, or the military. Stressing the need for endurance and the role of intuition, the author cites examples of eight basic judgment calls regarding options--``shoot/no shoot,'' risk vs. security, and present vs. future, among them. While warning against over-confidence and ``denial of chance,'' he also recommends developing a fall-back position in case plans go awry. (Sept.)