How can Thinking Traps affect decision-making?

Thinking traps can significantly impact decision-making processes by narrowing our field of view. When individuals fall into thinking traps, such as cognitive distortions or biases, they begin to focus excessively on a limited perspective or specific details at the expense of a broader understanding. This limited viewpoint restricts the ability to consider alternative options and perspectives, thereby hindering effective decision-making.

For instance, a person in a thinking trap might discount valuable information that contradicts their current thoughts or beliefs, leading them to make less informed choices. This type of cognitive narrowing can result in missed opportunities or flawed assessments of situations. By recognizing and overcoming thinking traps, individuals can expand their perspectives, consider a more comprehensive range of options, and consequently make better decisions.