# Reflection Before Action: Designing a Framework for Quantifying Thought Patterns for Increased Self-awareness in Personal Decision Making

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.04364 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.04364/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in Reasoning benchmarks and evaluation, one of 17 directions in LLM reasoning.
- Builds on 1 of its 64 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 5 Oct 2025.

## Placed in

- LLM reasoning / [Reasoning benchmarks and evaluation](https://mlsanity.com/lr/reasoning-benchmarks-and-evaluation/)

## Builds on (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [GPT-4 Technical Report](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.08774/) (2023)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Reflecti-Mate: A Conversational Agent for Adaptive Decision-Making Support Through System 1 and System 2 Thinking](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.22509/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

When making significant life decisions, people increasingly turn to conversational AI tools, such as large language models (LLMs). However, LLMs often steer users toward solutions, limiting metacognitive awareness of their own decision-making. In this paper, we shift the focus in decision support from solution-orientation to reflective activity, coining the term pre-decision reflection (PDR). We introduce PROBE, the first framework that assesses pre-decision reflections along two dimensions: breadth (diversity of thought categories) and depth (elaborateness of reasoning). Coder agreement demonstrates PROBE's reliability in capturing how people engage in pre-decision reflection. Our study reveals substantial heterogeneity across participants and shows that people perceived their unassisted reflections as deeper and broader than PROBE's measures. By surfacing hidden thought patterns, PROBE opens opportunities for technologies that foster self-awareness and strengthen people's agency in choosing which thought patterns to rely on in decision-making.