AN EXAMINATION OF POSITIVE THINKING SKILLS IN TERMS OF PERSONALITY TYPES, AUTOMATIC THINKING, SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING VARIABLES

Abstract

The rapidly developing science and technology in our world directly affect the human mind, making the development of higher-order thinking skills essential. Today’s educational approaches place the student at the center of all processes, aiming to develop cognitive skills to the highest level. In this context, positive thinking skills play a key role in individuals' happiness and success in life. This research aims to examine positive thinking skills in terms of personality types, automatic thoughts, social relationships, and problem-solving variables. The research method is designed as a descriptive research type within the survey field research model. The population of the study consists of all high school students in Turkey, while the study population consists of high school students in the province of Samsun. Sampling was conducted in 17 districts of Samsun province, ensuring maximum diversity by including Science High Schools, Anatolian High Schools, Anatolian Imam Hatip High Schools, and Vocational/Technical High Schools, based on population and school diversity. In line with the research objective, the Positivity Scale, Personality Type Scale, Automatic Thoughts Scale, Social Relationships Elements Scale, and Problem-Solving Scale were administered to 2354 students. The permissions have been obtained from the scale owners for the scales used. Statistical analyses of the obtained data were performed using the SPSS statistical program. Total scores on the positivity, personality types, automatic thoughts, social relationships, and problem-solving skills scales showed significant differences according to the district type variable, but not according to the grade level. Total scores on the positivity, automatic thoughts, social relationships, and problem-solving skills scales showed significant differences according to the high school type variable. Total scores on the positivity, personality types, automatic thoughts, social relationships, and problem-solving skills scales showed significant differences according to the gender variable. The mean total score of the positivity scale showed a significant difference compared to the mean total scores of the personality types, automatic thoughts, social relationships, and problem-solving skills scales.