An Example PJI Scenario

AN EXAMPLE PJI SCENARIO - Day Out With Grandmother

A grandmother is going on a day trip with a friend, but the friend has become unwell. She contacts the parents and offers to take one of her two grandchildren instead. Both children would like to go and are equally deserving. No additional tickets can be purchased, and the child who does not go is likely to feel disappointed and express this strongly.  The parents recognise that the decision will affect both children emotionally and that fairness will be important. At the same time, they are aware that leaving the decision entirely to the children may increase conflict and distress.

The decision to be made is which child should go on the outing with Grandmother.

Take your pen and a blank sheet of paper and rate the follwoing choices according to their appropriateness using this rating scale:

1 - Totally Inappropriate,     2 - Inappropriate,     3 - Unsure,     4 - Appropriate,     5 - Highly Appropriate
a)    The parent decides which child will go and tells the children their decision.
b)    The parent asks the children to decide between themselves which one will go.
c)    The parent discusses the situation with the children and attempts to reach a consensus together about who should go.
d)    The parent discusses the matter with the children, listens carefully to what they say, and then decides which child should go.

Rate each item as you see fit but try to avoid the middle rating, 'Unsure'. Bear in mind that the scenario has been written so that one item has most merit, another item will be next best and the other two choices will be inappropriate, with one being totally inappropriate.   Rate the items now.

Now compare your answers with the following explanation:

a) This item is an example of being Directive and has low merit - it scores 2

b) This item is an example of being Delegative and has very low merit - it scores 1.

c) This item is an example of being Participative and is second best - it scores 4.

d) This item is the best bet and is an example of being Consultative - it scores 5.
 

CONSULTATIVE: as the decision involves strong feelings, potential disappointment, and issues of fairness, it is not appropriate to equalise power fully or to release responsibility to the children. The Consultative approach is therefore optimal: it takes the children’s views seriously, allows them to feel heard and respected, and enables the parent to carry responsibility for a decision that one child will inevitably find difficult.

PARTICIPATIVE: the Participative approach has some merit, as it encourages dialogue and mutual understanding, but consensus is unlikely and may prolong disagreement or place undue pressure on the children.

DIRECTIVE: the Directive approach is inappropriate because it risks children feeling unheard and treated unfairly.

DELEGATIVE: the Delegative approach is totally inappropriate because it shifts responsibility for an emotionally charged and potentially divisive decision onto the children themselves.  

If you are ready, please go to the PJI-Mini and take the test now.  Work as quickly as you can.  Please complete the PJI-Mini openly and honestly and indicate how appropriate you think each of the available choices is in the circumstances described, trying to avoid the mid-point, 'Unsure' (i.e. rating any item '3'), as much as possible.  You must base your decision solely on the information available to you.