Cognitive Flexibility
This skill allows you to think in different ways and come up with alternative solutions to a problem.
What is cognitive flexibility?
Cognitive flexibility is the ability to shift your thinking, consider different perspectives, and come up with multiple ways to solve a problem instead of getting stuck on one idea.
This problem-solving strategy encourages people to think of as many ideas as possible.
What is brainstorming?
Brainstorming is a technique used to generate many possible solutions without worrying about whether they are good or bad at first.
The first step in problem-solving is to do this.
What is define the problem?
This means clearly identifying what the issue is so that you understand exactly what needs to be solved.
In the example, the person wants to reconnect with this type of person.
What is a high school friend?
The problem in the example is trying to find and reconnect with a friend from high school whom the person has not seen in many years.
This thinking skill can sometimes be affected after a brain injury.
What is cognitive flexibility?
After a brain injury, a person may have difficulty adapting their thinking or generating new ideas for solving problems, which makes cognitive flexibility harder.
During brainstorming, ideas should be shared without this.
What is judgment?
During brainstorming, people avoid criticizing or judging ideas so that everyone feels comfortable sharing creative or unusual solutions.
This step involves thinking of many possible solutions to the problem.
What is brainstorming solutions?
In this step, you generate a list of possible ways to solve the problem before deciding which one is best.
One possible way to find a friend is by searching this type of online platform.
What is social media?
Social media platforms can help people locate old friends by searching their name or looking through shared connections.
This skill helps people adjust their thinking when situations change.
What is cognitive flexibility?
It allows someone to change strategies, try new ideas, and adapt when their first solution does not work.
Even these types of ideas may lead to good solutions during brainstorming.
What are silly or unusual ideas?
Ideas that seem strange or unrealistic can sometimes spark better solutions or inspire new ways of thinking about a problem.
This step involves choosing the best solution to try.
What is select an option?
After evaluating the possible solutions, you choose the one that seems most practical or helpful to try first.
Another solution mentioned is contacting someone who knows both people.
What is a mutual friend?
A mutual friend may already have contact information or know how to reach the person you are trying to find.
This step asks whether the solution worked or if another option should be tried.
What is evaluate the solution?
In this step, you reflect on the results and decide whether the solution solved the problem or if you should try a different strategy.
This professional could be hired to help locate someone if other ideas do not work.
What is a private investigator?
A private investigator is a professional who specializes in locating people and gathering information when someone is difficult to find.