Final answer:
Dualistic thinking is a cognitive bias that simplifies social interactions into extremes. Critical thinking and metacognition are tools used to manage such biases and promote rational decision-making. Epistemic humility recognizes our limitations in understanding and perspective.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question deals with the phenomenon of dualistic thinking, which is the interpretation of mild feedback as extreme rejection. This tendency is an example of a cognitive bias, specifically a type of thinking error where individuals have an exaggerated perception in social interactions. Dualistic thinking can lead to binary, all-or-nothing interpretations of complex human behavior, which oversimplifies the nuance of social exchanges.
To counteract cognitive biases, promoting critical thinking is essential. This entails engaging in a reflective thought process, being skeptical of immediate judgments, and analyzing evidence logically. Recognizing cognitive biases is a step toward more accurate decision-making, avoiding oversimplification, and adopting a mindset of epistemic humility, which acknowledges that our understanding and perspectives are limited.
Tools such as metacognition are crucial for managing strong emotions and biases, particularly in complex situations where our first instinct might be to respond emotionally. Metacognition involves taking a step back and reflecting on the causes and reasons behind one's emotions, which can lead to more rational and unbiased thinking patterns.