Investigation of the relationship between thinking styles and decision-making and problem-solving processes in university students

This study examined the relationships between university students' thinking styles and their decision-making and problem-solving processes. A total of 398 students from various universities in Istanbul participated in the research (73.1% female, 26.9% male). Data were collected using the Rational-Experiential Inventory, the Decision-Making Styles Scale, and the Problem Solving Inventory. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed a significant and positive relationship between rational thinking style and rational decision-making attitude (β=0.322, t=5.746, p=0.000), as well as between rational thinking style and rational problem-solving behavior (β=0.257, t=4.815, p=0.000). However, no significant relationship was found between rational thinking style and either intuitive decision-making attitude (β=0.001, t=0.015, p=0.988) or intuitive problem-solving behavior (β=-0.020, t=-0.377, p=0.706). Intuitive thinking style was found to be significantly and positively associated with intuitive decision-making attitude (β=0.512, t=11.017, p=0.000), intuitive problem- solving behavior (β=0.231, t=4.197, p=0.000), and rational decision-making attitude (β=0.159, t=2.511, p=0.012). However, no significant relationship was observed between intuitive thinking style and rational problem-solving behavior (β=-0.011, t=- 0.202, p=0.840). Rational decision-making attitude was significantly and positively related to rational problem-solving behavior (β=0.369, t=5.814, p=0.000) but was negatively associated with intuitive problem-solving behavior (β=-0.210, t=-3.389, p=0.001). Intuitive decision-making attitude did not significantly affect rational problem-solving behavior (β=-0.054, t=-0.933, p=0.351), but it was significantly and positively associated with intuitive problem-solving behavior (β=0.400, t=7.965, p=0.000). In addition, the mediating role of decision-making attitudes was examined, and several indirect effects were identified. Rational thinking style was found to significantly and indirectly influence rational problem-solving behavior through rational decision-making attitude. Similarly, intuitive thinking style indirectly influenced intuitive problem-solving behavior through intuitive decision-making attitude. These findings suggest that decision-making attitudes play a critical mediating role in the relationship between thinking styles and problem-solving behavior. In conclusion, both rational and intuitive thinking styles play important but distinct roles in students' decision-making and problem-solving processes. While rational thinking style supports planned, logical, and systematic approaches, intuitive thinking style is more closely associated with spontaneous, experience-based, and emotional processes. The findings indicate that rational thinking is primarily linked to rational decision-making and problem-solving, whereas intuitive thinking is primarily associated with intuitive decision-making and problem-solving. Interestingly, intuitive thinking also positively influenced rational decision-making in certain cases, suggesting that individuals are capable of using multiple cognitive processes simultaneously rather than relying solely on one thinking style.