What thought process does the student exhibit when confident about their English essay based solely on their brother's praise?

The thought process exhibited by the student, who feels confident about their English essay based solely on their brother's praise, demonstrates wishful thinking. This occurs when an individual forms a belief or takes a stance based on a desire for it to be true rather than on solid evidence or critical evaluation of the situation.

In this case, the student's confidence is rooted not in their own assessment of the essay or constructive feedback from diverse sources, but rather in the subjective affirmation received from a single individual—namely, their brother. Such reliance on personal praise without further scrutiny illustrates a tendency to favor a hopeful outcome based on emotional validation rather than rational analysis or comprehensive feedback.

Thus, while the student's feelings of confidence might serve as a positive reinforcement of their work, they are not grounded in a thorough or objective evaluation of the essay's quality. This inclination can lead to an inflated sense of success that may not reflect the actual merit of the work.