Exploring new ways of thinking about and developing staff practice: the role of modes of thinking

Purpose: Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman’s work on modes of “thinking” provides a comprehensive text which is little explored in respect of work with people who have an intellectual or developmental disability. This paper aims to explore the potential of this work to change staff development and practice.

Design/Methodology: Key themes from Thinking Fast, and Slow (Kahneman, 2011) are described and applied to current staff practice.

Findings: Modes of thinking are relevant and important to understanding and improving manager and staff practice.

Originality: To our knowledge this is the first attempt to describe and understand staff thinking and practice using Kahneman’s ideas.