IB Psychology - Dual Processing Model

Thinking

The process of using knowledge and information to make plans, interpret the world, and make predictions about the world in general.

Decicion Making

The process of identifying and choosing alternatives based on the values and preferences of the decision-maker

Problem Solving

Thinking that is directed toward solving specific problems by means of a set of mental strategies

The Dual Processing Model

A model of thinking and decision making that proposes that there are two basic modes of thinking

System 1 Thinking

-Focuses on what it sees, ignores abstract evidence

-Bases decisions on past experience and knowledge, pre-established schema

-Quick but prone to error

-Generates impressions

-Employs heuristics

-Operates automatically

System 2 Thinking

-Requires concentration and effort

-Works with asbtract concepts

-Works through logic

-Uses conscious reaspning

-More reliable, but slow

Law of Least Effort

If there are several ways of achieving the same goal, people will eventually gravitate to the least demanding course of action

Selective Attention

The ability to respond to certain environemental stimuli while ignoring others.

Stroop Effect

Explains the decreased speed of naming the color of ink used to print words when the color of ink and the word itself are of different colors. The interference between the different information the brain receives, causes a problem

Speed of Processing Theory

The interference occurs because words are read faster than colors are named.

Selective Attention Theory

The interference occurs because naming colors requires more attention than reading words.

Strengths

-There is biological evidence that different types of thinking may be processed in different parts of the brain.

-The Wason selection task and other tests for cognitive biases are reliable in their results.

Limitations

-The model can be seen as reductionist

-The model doesn't these modes of thinking interact

- The model doesn't explain how our thinking and decision making could be influenced by emotion

-The definitions of System 1 and System 2 are not always clear