Thinking and Decision Making In decision making, many different methods of thinking must be considered. Some people like to think outside the box or use abstract, creative thoughts to make decisions. This is known as creative thinking. Others prefer to use a thinking style that is built on a solid foundation, known as persuasive thinking. Some thinkers prefer to rely on reasoning to make decisions. This is known as logical thinking. When considering these three different thinking styles, many similarities and differences are evident. Comparing Creative, Persuasive, and Logical Thinking Styles By comparing the three thinking styles of creativity, persuasion, and logical thinking, you will see the importance and similarities that each style has when compared to each other and the skills needed to be effective in our way of thinking. First, we look at creative thinking, which takes many forms and can be seen in any range, type, and quantity of responses to any given situation. The ability to think creatively can be found in everyone, because much of our thinking is somehow connected to creativity. It is when an individual is afraid of being rejected for their creative thinking that our ability to think creatively is affected and hinders the otherwise normal ability to come up with new ideas. Two techniques used to increase creativity in individuals are Brainstorming and Starbursting. Brainstorming has been shown to be effective when individuals work alone rather than in a group setting because it allows the mind to flow from one thought to another causing each idea to stimulate the other idea. . Starbursting is the technique commonly used in a group context, which allows an individual to explore their creative abilities and focus on...... middle of paper... to make a decision about which area is causing a loss of production. Conclusion There are different strengths and weaknesses in each of the thinking styles. Creative thinkers are praised for their ability to find abstract ways to solve problems that others might not consider. Persuasive thinkers are known for their ability to persuade others in order to consolidate decisions or solve different problems. Finally, logical thinkers tend to excel at reasoning. Each of these different thinking styles can be used in different situations, and they all play an important role in the decision-making process. References Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your learning and your life (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Kirby, G. R., & Goodpaster, J. R. (2007). Thinking (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.