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Building a Foundation for Confidence Thinking in the Acquisition and Development of New Choices

February 2019

Authors:

Coaching Choice College

Choice is connected to higher critical thinking involving decision-making and is a skill that can be developed by building a foundation for confidence thinking. In decision making the individual gathers input at a sensory and critical thinking level, which may then be integrated into a plan of action. Choices can require a simple yes/no response or can be complex and multi-faceted. Not all choices require deep critical processing; but when faced with decisions that require this; the individual may feel more confident if they trust their ability to make choices accurately, with confidence, and efficiently. An assessment to explore confidence thinking from a three-tiered level approach is offered as a tool to bring definition to an individual's level of functioning in the critical thinking skills involved in choice. Level one thinking skills are focused on cognitive-behavioral skills development; level two at the development of positive psychology skills, and level three at the development of conscious thinking at a transcendent level. This assessment tool is at a preliminary stage and will require further development to bring reliability and validity, but currently offers a 150 question test that taps into nine traits related to levels 1-3 confidence thinking that is involved in the development of critical thinking skills related to choice. The model Cognitions of Choice© offers twenty-four critical thinking skills that are connected to the development of choice. The levels approach is meant to assist the individual in moving into deeper critical thinking levels by neutralizing negative thinking patterns, reprogram neural hotwiring and construct healthier social perceptions and life choices. Introduction:

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Pacic University

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Clarissa E Steffen, Ed.D., N.D, BCC , 2013

Building a Foundation for Confidence Thinking in the Acquisition and

Development of New Choices

Abstract:

Choice is connected to higher critical thinking involving decision-making and is a skill

that can be developed by building a foundation for confidence thinking. In decision

making the individual gathers input at a sensory and critical thinking level, which may

then be integrated into a plan of action. Choices can require a simple yes/no response

or can be complex and multi-faceted. Not all choices require deep critical processing;

but when faced with decisions that require this; the individual may feel more confident if

they trust their ability to make choices accurately, with confidence, and efficiently. An

assessment to explore confidence thinking from a three-tiered level approach is offered

as a tool to bring definition to an individual’s level of functioning in the critical thinking

skills involved in choice. Level one thinking skills are focused on cognitive-behavioral

skills development; level two at the development of positive psychology skills, and level

three at the development of conscious thinking at a transcendent level. This

assessment tool is at a preliminary stage and will require further development to bring

reliability and validity, but currently offers a 150 question test that taps into nine traits

related to levels 1-3 confidence thinking that is involved in the development of critical

thinking skills related to choice. The model Cognitions of Choice© offers twenty-four

critical thinking skills that are connected to the development of choice. The levels

approach is meant to assist the individual in moving into deeper critical thinking levels

by neutralizing negative thinking patterns, reprogram neural hotwiring and construct

healthier social perceptions and life choices.

Introduction:

Choices can require a simple yes/no response or be complex and multifaceted. For

some individuals and for anyone in certain situations even the simplest choice can be

difficult. Choice is connected to a larger domain-making of behavioral skills related to

decision-making. With this assessment confidence thinking is defined by nine separate

traits that are critical thinking skills that allow people to make choices that may be

fundamentally necessary in the development of choice. The nine traits are factored into

three levels that differentiate the level of skill and confidence to make choices. While it

is true people can have more or less confidence in different areas of their life; this

assessment provides a global view at how one goes about making choices to provide

the individual a snapshot of their skills to determine where there may be room for

growth and development in the development of confidence for choice-making. The

Clarissa E Steffen, Ed.D., N.D, BCC , 2013

three levels model provides the individual feedback and a place to begin working on

improving skills in confidence levels for making choices.

The nine traits are sub-divided into three categories that define the level of

confidence thinking in choice making to begin exploration in defining the individual’s

current level of functioning. Each of these nine domains fall under a broader category

of decision-making (Levels 1-3) used to examine the development of confidence skills

for choice-making.

Levels of Choice Thinking:

Let’s take a look at how gathering this information may be useful in developing

confidence for choice making.

Decision-Making: A critical thinking skill in which an individual gathers input at a

sensory and critical thinking level which is integrated to create a decision or plan

of action, i.e. in this case “confidence for choice making.”

The Levels of Choice involves a step process toward deeper critical thinking that

are social memories, thoughts, feelings, behaviors and underlying beliefs that can be

learned or are the result of feedback and perceptions. Thoughts and feelings

(Cognitions) influence underlying beliefs and behavioral choices. It is these cognitions

that drive the belief structures that influence beliefs and behaviors; therefore, the

interest in exploring the individual’s “cognition of choice.” These choices are made from

a composite of life experiences the individual has integrated into their definition of self or

identity. Some choices are healthy others may be unhealthy and can influence our

perception of self, empowerment, and view of our position in the world.

Because choices are influenced by learning and a set of responses we store in our

memory bank; we can learn new responses and develop skills to create new choices.

Many choices occur in response to automatic thinking. If the individual’s automatic

thoughts are negative or unhealthy, it will limit their available options to choose and

create a more satisfying response. As the individual gains more freedom in their ability

to make choices and knows more about personal limits and boundaries; choice can be

a more readily accessible skill. When the individual becomes more familiar with the

manner in which they engage in choice, make-decisions, process information and

create options they have a wider range of responses available to them. In time, the

individual can be assisted in experiencing a higher level of comfort and move away from

Clarissa E Steffen, Ed.D., N.D, BCC , 2013

a mechanical automatic response to choices that involve critical thinking at a conscious

level. To accomplish this, the individual may require the assistance of a counselor or

therapist to provide the necessary feedback to challenge inaccurate, limiting, or

unhealthy perceptions of self.

Not all choices require deep critical processing; but when faced with decisions that

require this; the individual will feel more confident if they trust their ability to make

choices accurately, with confidence, and efficiently.

Sometimes in life we are over-whelmed by having too many available choices.

Having the ability to discern what may lead toward results that yield options that are

satisfying, results in safety, or create desirable outcomes is optimal. Some choices

pose dilemmas that may involve moral decision-making or tap into aspirational values

that allow the individual to face a challenge or stretch to grow and transcend beyond the

mundane. Choice at this level may exist at a more pure conscious level and afford a

higher degree of freedom, and emotional intelligence.

Admittedly, no one assessment can possibly measure and define individual

confidence in choice-making. This is offered to provide the individual with a tool to better

understand their ability to engage in choice with confidence, assess their level of

decision-making with choice, and set goals for developing critical thinking skills that

open the door for them to experience more freedom to choose at a conscious level.

Although categories may never truly be entirely discrete; the levels are presented in this

manner for didactic purposes and for ease of teaching the concepts that will allow the

individual to learn or aspire to develop the skill set in each category.

Creating Confidence Thinking Assessment Purpose: The acquisition of critical

thinking and decision-making skills to assist in the generation, and development

of confidence within making new choices.

Level 1: Choices at this level focus on specific cognitive-behavioral skills. This

option is to move from fear-driven response patterns toward assertive engagement

which result in congruency between thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and underlying belief

structures. When there is congruency the pathway offers a more open channel and less

anxiety, or stress may be experience in choice-making.

Level 2: As the individual moves away from automatic negative response patterns

they engage with a health and wellness perspective or positive psychological thought

process. The goal in this level is to develop an optimistic viewpoint and see oneself as

Clarissa E Steffen, Ed.D., N.D, BCC , 2013

having options that create desirable outcomes. Moving toward empowerment of self

and others in a healthy manner promotes a wellness mentality. Ultimately, as the

individual gains more freedom to choose; a higher level of skill and confidence and trust

in their ability to make choices will emerge and they will align with empowerment and

replace automatic thought patterns that may be self-destructive or unhealthy. Optimally,

this new found positive perspective is meant to reduce anxiety or stress and support a

congruent perception within thoughts, feelings, behaviors and underlying beliefs that

they have acquired in working through Level 1 skills development of confidence

thinking. The goal in Level 2 is to build resiliency in the individual to allow them to

experience movement in creating choice at a conscious level. In moving out of feeling

trapped into making automatic responses (challenged at Level 1), they are guided

toward creating choices at will that enable them to experience positive psychological

thoughts that fortify a healthy self-identity and move toward a higher degree of

confidence with respect for life.

Level 3: This involves aspirational goals for living at a level that transcends the

mundane. Often in life we are faced with challenges that involve existential themes, i.e.

love/hate; life/death, etc. Although our day to day existence may not always present

these themes so apparently; they exist in our thoughts at an unconscious level and may

color our experiences and responses to choice. In moving toward relying on higher

level critical thinking the individual may experience some initial increase in anxiety;

therefore, support from a trusted therapist or counselor would be beneficial. The

challenge at this level is to stretch the boundaries and expand thinking to go outside the

box and to aspire toward living on a higher plane. In our individualistic Westernized

culture we expect many freedoms that do not always translate into a collective

consciousness of respect for all living things.

Societal values may impose judgments or perceptions that result in “us/them”

thinking that does not necessarily translate into viewing all living creatures as worthy of

dignity. Finally the integration of living with the consciousness of dignity and respect for

all creates integrity that guides the individual toward choice that transcends mechanistic

or automatic thoughts, goes beyond the self-concept of empowerment which is a

necessary building block to the development of higher consciousness and transcendent

thinking.

The Levels Approach: Each of the lower Levels 1 & 2 is a fundamental building

block toward Level 3. In therapy or counseling the goal may focus on development of

Level 1 or 2 as the end objective. Not all individuals would desire to work on the

development of Level 3 confidence/choice/critical thinking. Not all life choices require

Level 2 or Level 3 thinking skills in order to make a healthy choice with confidence.

Regardless, having an understanding or framework for choice development may be a

healthy life-skill. Accessing critical thinking allows a wider range of response, and a

Clarissa E Steffen, Ed.D., N.D, BCC , 2013

broader locus of control. Knowing how to make choices, and applying basic decision

making surrounding who, what, where, when, and why can prevent unwanted life

experiences from occurring. Knowing when to act and make a choice (timing) can be

the difference between having a desired opportunity or not available to you. The more

an individual is armed with information about their choice making ability, and they

practice and rehearse the skills of choice making, the more confident they will become

and the better they will be at making choices. Knowing when to pull back can prevent

someone from becoming over-whelmed. We are often bombarded by choices; and

having a clear sense of owns ability may assist in eliminating unwanted stress or

anxiety. Having a model to apply in situations that evoke choice making may assist the

individual in assessing the situation, consider the required level of choice, and

determine whether or not a decision of choice needs to be made.

Recognizing that not any one model is perfect and imposes inherent limits will allow

for an honest and accurate assessment of this instrument. It is only a tool, and one

means within the experience of therapy or counseling. The individual may gather more

self-information. When recognized within the limits that are present; it can be a valuable

teaching too to assist the individual in self-development of the skills of confidence,

positive perceptions, and conscious thinking to make healthy life choices and promote a

wellness mentality. As a foundational model for the development of critical thinking

skills for confidence in choice making it explores the individual’s cognitions of choice,

how they connect to choice at a personal level, and see themselves in their ability to

apply choice with confidence. It is a fluid model that moves from a mechanistic view of

self to a highly conscious and transcendent view. This model is based in the thinking

that since unhealthy thoughts and behaviors can be learned; they can unlearned. It

offers a hopeful approach to treatment that allows and promotes the individual to

engage, acquire new skills and thinking to be applied in a variety of settings, and

experiences so that it will generalize and be maintained at the newly acquired level of

consciousness in choice and decision-making.

Many times when client or patients came into treatment they do not recognize they

have options or the ability to choose. Sometimes they simply lack the skills necessary

to make a choice. This assessment will provide them a starting place to work with their

therapist, or counselor. Knowing there is a solution and a pathway to learn a skill or set

of skills that will address an identified problem can provide comfort. Recognition and

validation from a trusted therapist or counselor for effort to change unhealthy behaviors

can spur motivation to learn and change unhealthy patterns of behavior. As stated, this

is a foundational model that provides three tiers or levels of critical thinking for

confidence thinking in choice-making that is viewed under the broader umbrella of

decision-making. The nine traits; three at each level ascribe factors that are used to

define each level of critical thinking to offer better understanding and bring definition to

Clarissa E Steffen, Ed.D., N.D, BCC

, 2013

their skill in choice making. Although there may be many factors that align with each

level of

critical thinking in the development of confidence in making choices these

variables have been carefully chosen as they are considered the primary focus within

each level of choice. Limiting each level to three conceptual traits assist in teaching

these c

oncepts to the individual that will promote ease of understanding in committing

the concept to memory, and applying these concepts to everyday life experiences.

Choice is aligned with freedom which is highly valued in Western culture. When an

individual has freedom to choose they are less likely to experience anxiety or

depressive symptoms. Trusting one’s skill and ability to choose may result in a higher

evel of confidence. Accessing critical thinking generates a wider range of choices

which

is the stated intent or purpose

of skills to generate

confidence in the development of

Levels

Acquisition of Decision

Thinking for New Choices

Conscious Thinking

Positive Psychology

Skills Development