Thinking and Decision Making
Thinking and Decision Making
Michael Ledford
Mark Savell
DJ Williams
University of Phoenix
MGT/350
Mr. Jerry Abendroth
September 8, 2009
Thinking and Decision Making What are the parts of critical thinking? Believe it or not, a process of analysis takes place when thinking occurs. Basically, the conscious mind is presented with a situation and formulates a conclusion. However, the unconscious mind contributes to the conclusion through assumption. It is critical when thinking in order to distinguish these assumptions made unconsciously and brings them to a conscious state in order for a person to be more open-minded to other possibilities. For example, consider the reasoning between two people when presented with the same information. In the first example, a person sees a man lying in the gutter (situation). The person decides the man is a bum (conclusion) because all bums lie in gutters (assumption). However, the reasoning from a different person presented with the same situation might conclude the man is in need of help because anyone lying in a gutter is in need of help (Paul and Elder, 2006). Despite our efforts to not make assumptions, we make hundreds of them on a daily basis without even knowing it. One application of critical thinking results in decision making. Similar to critical thinking, it is one of life’s most important skills to master. However, it is important to realize one can control only the decision process and not the actual outcome (Robbins, 2004). This essay will define and attempt to compare and contrast three thinking styles, analyze their affects on the critical thinking process, and provide workplace examples highlighting each style. The three thinking styles to be discussed in this essay are creative thinking, logical thinking, and persuasive thinking. According to an online dictionary, creative thinking suggests using unorthodox solutions to a problem or situation. It be performed using an unstructured process such
Michael Ledford
Mark Savell
DJ Williams
University of Phoenix
MGT/350
Mr. Jerry Abendroth
September 8, 2009
Thinking and Decision Making What are the parts of critical thinking? Believe it or not, a process of analysis takes place when thinking occurs. Basically, the conscious mind is presented with a situation and formulates a conclusion. However, the unconscious mind contributes to the conclusion through assumption. It is critical when thinking in order to distinguish these assumptions made unconsciously and brings them to a conscious state in order for a person to be more open-minded to other possibilities. For example, consider the reasoning between two people when presented with the same information. In the first example, a person sees a man lying in the gutter (situation). The person decides the man is a bum (conclusion) because all bums lie in gutters (assumption). However, the reasoning from a different person presented with the same situation might conclude the man is in need of help because anyone lying in a gutter is in need of help (Paul and Elder, 2006). Despite our efforts to not make assumptions, we make hundreds of them on a daily basis without even knowing it. One application of critical thinking results in decision making. Similar to critical thinking, it is one of life’s most important skills to master. However, it is important to realize one can control only the decision process and not the actual outcome (Robbins, 2004). This essay will define and attempt to compare and contrast three thinking styles, analyze their affects on the critical thinking process, and provide workplace examples highlighting each style. The three thinking styles to be discussed in this essay are creative thinking, logical thinking, and persuasive thinking. According to an online dictionary, creative thinking suggests using unorthodox solutions to a problem or situation. It be performed using an unstructured process such
References: Creative thinking. (2009). Retrieved September 6, 2009, from http://www.businessdictionary.com Kirby, G.R. and Goodpaster, J.R. (2007). Thinking (4th ed.). Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ. Paul, R. and Elder, L. (2006). Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your learning and your life (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ. Robbins, S.P. (2004). Decide and conquer: Make winning decision and take control of your life (1st ed.). Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ.