What thought process involves believing that positive outcomes can occur simply because one wishes them to happen?

The thought process that involves believing that positive outcomes will occur solely based on the desire or wish for them to happen is known as wishful thinking. This cognitive bias leads individuals to assume that favorable results are more likely simply because they hope for them, rather than grounded in realistic assessments of the situation. Wishful thinking can often lead to a disconnect from reality, as it prioritizes desire over evidence or rationality. By relying on this mindset, individuals may underestimate challenges or overlook necessary actions needed to achieve desired outcomes.

In contrast, the other choices do not encapsulate this specific mentality: prejudice relates to preconceived opinions about individuals or groups, inconceivability involves something that cannot be imagined or believed, and radicalism typically refers to advocating for thorough or fundamental change, often in a political context. Each of these concepts operates in different realms of thought and does not emphasize the idea of achieving a preferred outcome merely through desire.