Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the holistic thinking style?

The characteristic often associated with holistic thinking styles is a strong emphasis on the overall context and the relationships between objects and events. Holistic thinkers tend to focus on the interconnections and the bigger picture rather than isolating individual components. This style encourages consideration of surrounding relationships, leading to a more integrated understanding of a situation.

In contrast, the option identified as not characteristic of holistic thinking is the assertion that this style is common in Western cultures. In fact, holistic thinking is more typically associated with Eastern cultures, where context and relationships play a significant role in cognition. Western cultures are generally linked to analytical thinking, which focuses more on individual elements and logical reasoning separated from context.

Thus, the correct answer highlights a fundamental misconception about cultural thinking styles, distinguishing holistic thinking from the more prevalent analytical style found in many Western contexts.