Skip to main content

What Kind of Problem Solver are You?


Problem-solving is a popular modality of psychotherapy and is also conceptualized as a brief skills-oriented training program. A problem is a real or perceived imbalance or discrepancy between the demands of a situation and one’s coping ability and reactions (Nezu et al., 1989). Problem-solving skills are not personality traits but social skills that can be learned. Successful problem-solving involves not only the right kind of orientation but also an adaptive style (Nezu et al., 2013).

Problem-Solving Orientation

Problem-solving orientation refers to an individual’s beliefs, attitudes, and emotional reactions to problems, as well as one’s ability to cope with them. Research has shown that there are two types of problem-solving orientation – positive and negative.

1. Positive problem-solving orientation
  • View a problem as a challenge rather than a threat
  • Be realistically optimistic in believing that problems are solvable
  • Have the self-confidence in one’s ability to cope with problems
  • Understand that successful problem-solving requires time and effort
  • Commit oneself to tackling problems
  • View negative emotions as an integral part of the problem-solving process, especially when addressing stressful problems
2. Negative problem-solving orientation
  • View problems as major threats to one’s well-being
  • View problems as unsolvable
  • Doubt one’s ability to cope with problems
  • Become frustrated, upset, and overwhelmed when confronted with negative emotions while dealing with a problem
A caveat here is that these problem-orientation types are not mutually exclusive; they represent only a general tendency to view problems from a particular perspective. For instance, an individual may have a positive problem orientation toward an achievement-related problem at work and a negative problem orientation toward relationship difficulties.

Problem-Solving Styles

People often respond to problems in different ways, and research has identified three such styles.

1. Rational or planful problem-solving style: This style is the constructive approach to problem-solving that involves systematic and thoughtful application of the following skills:
  • Clarifying the nature of a problem
  • Setting realistic problem-solving goals and identifying obstacles
  • Generating possible solutions
  • Comparing the pros and cons of these solutions
  • Implementing the solution and evaluating the consequences of the plan
2. Impulsive problem-solving style: This style involves:
  • Going for the “quick fix”
  • Considering only a few solution alternatives, often impulsively going with the first idea that comes to mind
  • Seeing the problem through narrow, “tunnel vision”
  • Monitoring solution outcomes quickly, incompletely, and unsystematically
3. Avoidant problem-solving style: This involves putting off the problems rather than confronting them head-on by engaging in one of the following behaviors:
  • Procrastinating
  • Being passive
  • Denying the existence of problems
  • Relying on others to fix the problems
While rational problem-solving is adaptive, the other two styles are dysfunctional and may worsen existing problems or create new ones.

Think about a recent problem that you encountered and ask yourself if you generally see problems with a positive or a negative orientation. Now go back to the same problem and think which one of the three problem-solving styles – rational, impulsive, and avoidant – best describes you. Knowing your strengths and limitations as a problem solver helps you shift your problem-solving orientation and style toward a more adaptive approach. If you realize that certain situations trigger a more negative problem orientation, being self-aware that this may be your default pattern in those situations helps you become a better problem solver.

To learn more about evidence-based self-management techniques that promote mental health and well-being, check out Dr. Duggal's Author Page.

HARPREET S. DUGGAL, MD, FAPA

REFERENCES

Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., & Perri, M. G. (1989). Problem-solving therapy for depression: Theory, research, and clinical guidelines. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., & D’Zurilla, T. J. (2013). Problem-solving therapy: A treatment manual. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.















Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

7 Questions That Will Help You Overcome Anxiety, Fear and Panic

Anxiety, fear, and panic are associated with irrational thoughts involving themes of threat or danger. These irrational thoughts take the form of “if” or “what if” beliefs. For example, a person who is afraid of heights may think, “If I am on the elevator alone and it gets stuck, no one will be able to save me,” or a person with panic disorder may believe, “If my heart beats too fast, it means that I am probably having a heart attack.” The “if” and “what if” thinking in anxiety disorders is a byproduct of your irrational thought patterns, including magnification, catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, and “should” and “must statements.” Sometimes, anxiety is a result of genuine problems or situations that have no solutions. How does one then decide to challenge one's irrational thinking or problem-solve, or try acceptance strategies? The seven questions that will help you guide your decision to choose one path over another to overcome anxiety are as follows:  What is the likelihoo...
2 comments
Read more

3 Ways to Express Gratitude

Gratitude is one of the most commonly used and proven positive psychology interventions. It enhances well-being and is an effective way of self-managing depression. Grateful people experience higher positive emotions such as joy, enthusiasm, love, happiness, and optimism. Gratitude buffers you from hurtful feelings of envy, resentment, greed, and bitterness. In addition, grateful people can cope more effectively with everyday stress and show increased resilience in the face of trauma-induced stress (Emmons, 2013). Whether or not you have a grateful disposition, the good news is that it is possible to cultivate gratitude intentionally. You can choose one of the following three methods to express gratitude, but most beginners start with a gratitude list as it is a simple yet effective strategy. Gratitude lists This is the “classic” and the most studied method of expressing gratitude. It involves regularly making written lists of several things for which you are grateful. T...
1 comment
Read more

Eight Ways to Master the Art of Small Talk

There are some social rituals that we cannot avoid, especially when interacting with people we don’t know, and nothing is more universally disliked than the ritual of small talk. Small talk is a fine art that balances the use of some better questions to open the conversation and then navigate the talk without lingering on obligatory foundational topics about how one’s weekend was or discussing the weather. If you find yourself avoiding social interactions because you're uncomfortable and embarrassed about small talk, here are eight ways to improve at it and avoid making it awkward or superficial (Duhigg, 2024; Haupt, 2023; Lee, 2025). 1. Ask better questions. To facilitate conversation, avoid conversational dead-end questions that can be responded to in a single word, such as "How was your weekend?" or "How are you?" Also, avoid fact-based questions like "Where do you live?" Instead, ask questions that invite people to elaborate on their experience...
Post a Comment
Read more