Identifying and Overcoming Cognitive Fixation in Pastoral Decision-Making

Abstract

This qualitative study examined cognitive fixation in protestant pastoral decision-making. The participants included ten Protestant pastors from different churches in central Texas. Pastors chosen for this study led congregations consisting of a minimum of 50 members and a maximum of 1800 members, and had served in a full-time pastoral position for at least five years and not more than 28 years. Through naturalistic inquiry, data were obtained from face-to-face interviews and observations. A constant comparative method and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data for emergent themes. Three themes emerged: 1) cognitive fixation in pastoral decision-making involves more areas than just the pastor, and is heavily influenced by the concepts of clergy and laity, 2) cognitive fixation plays a role in how pastors perceive challenges and 3) special circumstances may have helped many pastors overcome cognitive fixation. The data revealed the complexity of cognitive fixation in pastoral decision-making. It was seen to take place in interactions amongst pastors, church structures and traditions, lay leaders and congregations. Cognitive fixation that happens at the leader or congregational level has an effect on pastoral decision making.