decisionthat

Decisionthat is a neologism used in discussions of decision theory and cognitive psychology to refer to the content of a decision—the specific option or proposition that is ultimately chosen—distinct from the process, analysis, or justification that leads to it. The term highlights the difference between the outcome (the decisionthat) and the method or reasoning (the decisionprocess) used to reach it.

Etymology: The word combines decision and that, signaling a focus on the particular chosen proposition within deliberation. It is not widely adopted in formal literature but appears in some educational or theoretical discussions to clarify distinctions between what is decided and how it is decided.

Usage and scope: In analytic and instructional contexts, decisionthat can be used to discuss what is being decided. For example, when comparing decision rules, one might ask whether two procedures yield the same decisionthat even if their processes differ. In decision-support tools, the decisionthat is ordinarily the final selected option, while the decisionprocess logs the steps, criteria, and tradeoffs considered.

Examples: A manager deciding to authorize a project has a decisionthat of “approve project X,” with a decisionprocess that includes risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and stakeholder input.

Limitations: The term is not universally recognized in formal literature, and some scholars view it as redundant with established terms such as outcome, option, or choice. Its use may add confusion if not clearly defined within a specific context.

See also: decision theory, rational choice, outcome, option, decision process.