Self-Reflection - Reasoning and Decision Making
Related Chapters: Chapter 24 - Intelligence, Problem Solving, and Decision Making • Chapter 70 - Improving our Intelligence and Decision Making
How Well Do You Think?
Few human abilities influence our lives more than the quality of our thinking. Every day we make hundreds of decisions—some trivial, others life-changing. Yet our minds are not objective computers. They are shaped by emotion, bias, habit, memory, social pressure, and limited information.
This reflection is not designed to measure your IQ or academic ability. Instead, it explores the thinking habits that contribute to sound judgment. Consider how consistently each statement describes your typical behavior.
Rating Scale
1 – Almost Never
2 – Sometimes
3 – Usually
4 – Almost Always
Write your score in the blank preceding each statement.
_____ 1. I seek evidence before forming strong conclusions.
_____ 2. I am willing to change my mind when convincing new evidence is presented.
_____ 3. I actively look for information that challenges my existing beliefs.
_____ 4. I pause before making important decisions rather than reacting impulsively.
_____ 5. I can usually distinguish between facts and my emotional reactions.
_____ 6. I recognize that my first impression may be wrong.
_____ 7. I consider several possible explanations before deciding what is true.
_____ 8. I admit when I do not know enough to make a confident judgment.
_____ 9. I seek thoughtful opinions from people who see issues differently than I do.
_____ 10. I reflect on poor decisions in order to learn from them.
_____ 11. I try to recognize my own cognitive biases before criticizing those of others.
_____ 12. I consider the long-term consequences of my decisions.
_____ 13. I enjoy learning new ideas, even when they challenge my assumptions.
_____ 14. I remain curious throughout life.
_____ 15. I can usually separate the quality of an idea from the person expressing it.
_____ 16. I strive to become a better thinker rather than simply being right.
Total Score: ________
Scoring
Add your responses for a total score between 16 and 64.
Interpreting Your Score
49–64 – Thoughtful and Reflective Thinker
Your responses suggest that you consistently practice many of the habits associated with sound reasoning and good decision-making. You appear comfortable questioning your assumptions, learning from mistakes, and adjusting your thinking when new evidence emerges. Continue cultivating curiosity and intellectual humility.
37–48 – Generally Good Thinking Habits
You demonstrate many healthy cognitive habits but, like most people, occasionally fall prey to bias, emotion, or overconfidence. Becoming more intentional about seeking alternative viewpoints and slowing important decisions could strengthen your judgment.
25–36 – Thinking Habits That Need Attention
Your answers suggest that emotional reactions, habitual assumptions, or limited perspectives may sometimes interfere with careful reasoning. Becoming more aware of your biases, asking better questions, and deliberately seeking disconfirming evidence can significantly improve your decision making.
16–24 – An Opportunity for Cognitive Growth
Your responses suggest that your thinking may often be influenced by impulsivity, certainty, or unexamined assumptions. Fortunately, critical thinking is not a fixed talent—it is a skill that improves with practice. Developing greater intellectual humility, curiosity, and self-awareness can substantially improve both the quality of your decisions and your relationships.
Reflection Notes (Optional)
Use this space to capture any thoughts, insights, questions, surprises, or intentions that came to mind while completing this reflection.
A Note About This Reflection
This reflection does not measure intelligence, education, or IQ. Rather, it explores the habits that support effective reasoning and wise decision-making. Even highly intelligent people fall victim to cognitive biases, emotional reasoning, and overconfidence. Instead of focusing solely on your total score, notice which individual questions prompted the highest ratings. Those responses may identify thinking habits that deserve your attention. Better thinking is less about having the right answers than about asking better questions.