Thinking and Decision Making

Thinking and Decision Making

Team A

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MGT/350

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Thinking and Decision Making

There are many types of thinking styles used in personal and professional interactions. Depending on the undertaking, an assortment of thinking styles may be observed. Numerous factors contribute to the way an individual views problems and formulates opinions. Environment, family, friends, coworkers, government, television, music, movie stars, books, religion, race, gender, and personal experiences are just a few contributors that shape the way individuals think. Pessimism, optimism, and inductive reasoning are three very prominent and familiar styles that deserve a closer look.

Pessimistic Thinking

Pessimistic thinking is a negative form of judgment. Pessimists tend to see the worst in things, believing nothing ever goes the way it should. According to “Dictionary.com” (n.d.) pessimism is “the tendency to expect the worst and see the worst in all things.” People are not born as pessimists. Munro (n.d.), "There are many reasons why people become pessimistic, including child trauma, losses, or highly critical parents” (para. 5). These types of thinkers have a harder time coping with issues. They believe that life will always have more downs than ups. Pessimists can change the way they see things if they accept the fact they are that way. An individual who always takes a simple issue and makes it more than what it is can be labeled a pessimist. It is important to understand that things are not always as bad as they appear. There is always a solution to any situation; the process individuals go about reaching that solution is their own responsibility.

According to "Leadership and Motivation Training.com" (2010), "Research shows that people with an optimistic life-view tend to outperform pessimists in all respects” (para. 1). Possessing an open mind and understanding that mistakes happen allows a pessimist to...