Hypothetical thinking allows individuals to:

Hypothetical thinking is a cognitive process that enables individuals to consider and analyze various possibilities and potential outcomes. By engaging in hypothetical thinking, people can envision different scenarios, making it easier to weigh their options and assess the implications of various decisions before acting. This kind of thinking fosters creativity and critical reasoning, as it encourages individuals to step outside their current realities and explore alternatives, which can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving.

In contrast, the other options don’t relate to the core function of hypothetical thinking. Doubting one’s abilities is more about self-assessment and self-efficacy than about exploring possibilities. Focusing on immediate results pertains more to short-term thinking or reactive decision-making, which doesn't involve the broader exploration that hypothetical thinking facilitates. Following established norms without question does not involve the imaginative or analytical processes that hypothetical thinking embodies, as it implies a lack of inquiry or exploration into other potential perspectives or outcomes.