Which type of thinking involves narrowing down solutions to find the best one?

The type of thinking that involves narrowing down solutions to find the best one is convergent thinking. This process is characterized by focusing on deriving a single, optimal solution to a problem from a variety of options. In convergent thinking, individuals evaluate different solutions, consider their feasibility, and systematically eliminate less favorable alternatives to arrive at the most effective answer.

While divergent thinking is about generating multiple ideas and exploring a wide range of possibilities without immediate judgment, convergent thinking takes those ideas and condenses them into a final, singular solution. Analytical thinking and critical thinking also involve evaluation and reasoning, but they encompass broader scopes that may not be specifically aimed at narrowing down to a single solution. Hence, convergent thinking is the most precise descriptor for the process of finding the best solution among several alternatives.