Item: FROM WHAT WE THINK TO WHAT WE SAY: THE P.E.A.C.H.E.S. MNEMONIC FOR COMMUNICATION-CENTRIC DECISION MAKING
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Title: FROM WHAT WE THINK TO WHAT WE SAY: THE P.E.A.C.H.E.S. MNEMONIC FOR COMMUNICATION-CENTRIC DECISION MAKING
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- Justin Borowsky [ Central Oregon Community College, Bend OR, USA ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: In the past, research on decision making in avalanche terrain has focused heavily on the psychological heuristic traps that are often a component of avalanche accidents. While understanding these internal shortcuts is foundational, translating that psychological awareness into consistent group action can be challenging. This research frames group decision making not only as a psychological process, but as a visible product of group interaction and verbal communication. Using an inductive qualitative approach, this study sought to identify the critical topics that should be discussed in order to make a decision in avalanche terrain. Twenty Five avalanche education professionals were interviewed and asked to define what they considered to be core components of effective group conversations at decision points. The responses were grouped by themes, given descriptive titles, combined with best practices in small group communication, and organized into a new mnemonic: P.E.A.C.H.E.S. (Pressure, Expectations, Arguments, Consequences, Heuristics, Everyone speaks, and Strategy). The approach to this study shifts away from the psychological paradigm toward a communication-centric framework. By focusing on the external process of conversation rather than the internal process of the individual, P.E.A.C.H.E.S. provides a practical, real-time tool for groups to structure their communication, mitigate heuristic traps, ensure critical ideas are voiced, and developed a strategy before entering high-consequence terrain.
Object ID: ISSW2026_P2.22.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790098938
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Justin Borowsky
Keywords: Communication, Decision-Making, Heuristics
Page Number(s): 829 - 832
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