cognitive flexibility
Shifting thinking patterns
Cognitive flexibility is the mental ability to shift between different concepts, perspectives, or tasks.
It allows adapting to new information or changing circumstances rather than staying locked into one way of thinking: Her cognitive flexibility helped her pivot when the original plan fell through.
The term appears in psychology, education, and workplace contexts discussing adaptability and problem-solving.
- working memoryTemporary cognitive holding space
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- mental agilityQuick, flexible thinking
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- planningArranging for future events
shifting gears · adaptability · rolling with the punches · prefrontal cortex · divergent thinking · reframing · neural plasticity · impulse control · dopamine regulation · creative thinking · self-regulation · multitasking · selective attention · self-monitoring · emotional regulation · critical thinking · strategic planning · open-minded
cognitive flexibilityrigid thinking
Inability to adapt mentally
inflexibility · fixedness · dogmatism · narrow-mindedness · perseveration