Thinking And Decision Making

Thinking and Decision Making Paper

Introduction

Thinking "is an internal mental process that uses information as input, integrates that information into previous learned material and the result may be knowledge or may be nothing". (Goodpastor et al 2007) Creative thinking, logical thinking, and persuasive thinking are three types of thinking. Each of these types of thinking affects the critical thinking process in various ways.

Creative Thinking

Creative thinking involves creating something new or original. It involves the skills of flexibility, originality, fluency, elaboration, brainstorming, modification, imagery, associative thinking, attribute listing, metaphorical thinking, and forced relationships. The aim of creative thinking is to stimulate curiosity and promote divergence.

When an individual learns to expand their way of thinking to incorporate metaphorical ideas, they will spark the creative thinking process. Creative thinking enables us to open our imagination to new ideas.

We can all think creatively. In fact, much of our thinking is in some way connected to creativity; constantly there are variations in the processes of our unfolding thoughts. Even when we appear to be thinking in a groove or thinking in circles, if we carefully reflect on the patterns of our thought, we will probably discover that they do not repeat exactly; and even when we are intentionally repeating a pattern, such as memorized lines, the lines do not always march into memory with the regularity of a metronome; often they come haltingly, in pieces, or in tidal waves of changing patterns, even though when we go to speak our thoughts, we might enunciate them smoothly. (Kirby, 2006)

Believe it or not, everyone has substantial creative ability. Just look at how creative children are. In adults, creativity has too often been suppressed through education, but it is still there and can be reawakened. Often all that's needed to be creative is to make a commitment to creativity and to take the time for it.

Creativity is also an attitude: the ability to accept change and newness, a willingness to play with ideas and possibilities, a flexibility of outlook, the habit of enjoying the good, while looking for ways to improve it. We are socialized into accepting only a small number of permitted or normal things, like chocolate-covered strawberries, for example. The creative person realizes that there are other possibilities, like peanut butter and banana sandwiches, or chocolate-covered prunes.

Creative people work hard and continually to improve ideas and solutions, by making gradual alterations and refinements to their works. Contrary to the mythology surrounding creativity, very, very few works of creative excellence are produced with a single stroke of brilliance or in a frenzy of rapid activity. Much closer to the real truth are the stories of companies who had to take the invention away from the inventor in order to market it because the inventor would have kept on tweaking it and fiddling with it, always trying to make it a little better.

The creative person knows that there is always room for improvement.

Logical Thinking

Logical thinking is an important tool we use within our everyday lives. Logical thinking skills can help us in our everyday decision making process.

Logical is defined as of relating to, in accordance with, or of the nature of logic; based on earlier or otherwise known statements, events, or conditions; reasonable; reasoning or capable of reasoning in a clear and consistent manner (Mifflin 2006). When thinking logically one must be of a sound mind in order to make a good decision. In being of a sound mind one must also be able to be coherent and clear within their minds. And when thinking logically it is good to have known valid and known statements. For instance, if an employee violates any work-rule it would be logic to have all the necessary valid reasoning before applying any disciplinary action.

Logic can be emphasized in many different ways such as; " it is logic to clock in before you start your workday"; " in accordance with the Labor Board it is logical to take a break although you may not want to"; with over one hundred and fifty employees housed at one location it is logic to all different workdays meaning protected work time to complete any task that may needs to be completed". The logical thinking process is not in agreement with everyone. Although we all may not agree but the current President of the Unites States was supposed to be coherent, and of a sound mind when he made the decision for the current War to start leaving some Americans are in doubt thinking was his decision logical and some thinking was illogical overall Logical thinking does not get everyone approval because everyone doesn't think logical or feel that one have a logical or valid reason for making decisions. Back in 2005 during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina it was logic for the Texas Department of Health and Human Service Commission allow its local offices to remain open past normal work hours to aid the Katrina Victims. The Health and Human Service Commission was also logic collaborate with other agencies such as the Red Cross, FEMA, local churches and other charitable organizations to help in aiding the Katrina Victims. It was logic and valid for government and other officials to create an establish evacuations routes after Hurricane Rita.

Persuasive

The most powerful ability of language is to understand and effectively communicate. Being able to clearly communicate ideas to others allows empowerment and the ability to be open ones mind to new thoughts and opinions. "The ability to reproduce this information to another in a certain manner can lead to persuasion. Simple to define, difficult to do, persuasion means influencing someone to accept our message. To persuade well is a demanding and delicate art". (Goodpastor et al 2007) Persuasive communication is an essential component to critical thinking.

"In today's work environment, effective leaders must share a vision with staff and peers that is compelling and persuasive". (Career Pharmacy 2001) There are two ways of effectively using persuasion to convey a message. There is peripheral persuasion, where the message receiver