RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Dichotomous Thinking in Nuclear Medicine Technology
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
JO J. Nucl. Med. Technol.
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 120
OP 123
VO 25
IS 2
A1 Steven B. Dowd
A1 Norman E. Bolus
YR 1997
UL http://tech.snmjournals.org/content/25/2/120.abstract
AB Dichotomous thinking is the natural human tendency to think in a binary manner (either-or). Although it is natural, dichotomous thinking can be simplistic and may lead to a lack of consideration of alternatives. In nuclear medicine, a predominant use of dichotomous thinking can lead to a very elementary way of thinking that may produce technologists who do not question why or how things are done. Adaptation and survival in today’s health care environment require complex ways of thinking. This article describes dichotomous thinking and its problems and pitfalls in nuclear medicine practice and education, and suggests that dichotomous thinking can be extended to dialectical (contradictory ideas) modes of thinking.