Problem Solving & Decision Making

An introduction

The psychology of problem solving and decision making is a cornerstone of cognitive psychology, exploring how people perceive challenges, generate solutions, and choose among alternatives. Early foundations were laid by Herbert A. Simon (1957), whose concept of bounded rationality revealed that human choices are shaped by cognitive limitations and environmental constraints. Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky (1979) advanced the field with Prospect Theory, showing that emotions, biases, and framing profoundly influence judgment. Later, Gerd Gigerenzer (1999) emphasized the adaptive nature of “fast and frugal” heuristics, illustrating how simple rules can yield surprisingly effective decisions. Understanding these psychological processes enriches not only scientific knowledge but also personal wellbeing: it helps individuals make wiser, more reflective choices, manage stress, and cultivate resilience. On a broader scale, societies that value informed decision-making foster empathy, critical thinking, and cooperation, which are key ingredients for social trust, effective governance, and collective progress. We all know how significant decisions can be. The greatest decision that any of us will ever have to make is whether to side with God or to remain separate from Him. This was the decision expressed by Joshua, one-time leader of God’s historic people. He asked them, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshu 24:15).