Studying Thinking

What is thinking and name 4 other components?

• The process of using knowledge and information to make plans, interpret the world, and make predictions

• components of thinking include: problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and reasoning

What are the 2 main components of thinking?

problem-solving and decision-making

What is problem-solving?

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

what is decision-making?

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

• Note: problem solving and decision making are interconnected  (when we problem-solve we make decisions)

What is the dual process model? 

a model of thinking and decision-making created by Stanovich & West (2000) that outlines there 2 basic modes of thinking System 1 and System 2.

• We often use both of these systems when addressing a problem

  • System 1 will reach a quick conclusion and then System 2 will go into further analysis to hopefully reach a “more correct” conclusion

What is System 1?

• operates on intuitive thinking

• fast but prone to error 

• automatic process that requires little effort 

• bases decisions on past experiences and knowledge (an already established schema

• generates impressions and inclinations 

• takes shortcuts called heuristics

What is System 2?

• operates on rational thinking

• slow but more reliable 

• requires concentration and effort

• works with abstract concepts 

• uses logic and conscious reasoning

What is intuitive thinking?

automatic quick thinking that requires limited effort and is influenced by biases

What is rational thinking?

goal-oriented and requires intention and time, analyzes and controls for biases

What is the law of the least effort?

explains why we tend to rely on System 1 thinking because as cognitive misers therefore we want to expend as little energy as possible

• states that If there are several ways of achieving the same goal, people will choose the least demanding course of action. 

  • This can be out of convenience and sometimes our cognitive load might be too high because there are many things going on in our mind

Strengths (2)

• Biological evidence that different types of thinking may be processed in different parts of the brain

  • Gilead et al (2013) There appears to be a difference in brain activity when carrying out concrete vs. abstract tasks

• The Wason selection task and other tests for cognitive biases support the dual processing model and are reliable in their results

Limitations (3)

• The model can seem to be overly reductionist as it does not clearly explain how (or even if) these models of thinking interact or how our thinking and decision-making could be influenced by emotion

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

  • e.g. faster processing indicates System 1 rather than System 2

• However, just because processing is faster does not mean it is done by System1; experience can influence System 2 processing to go faster

What is matching bias?

cognitive shortcut where people tend to focus on information that matches the explicit content of a rule or condition, rather than thinking logically about what would actually test that rule. (connects with intuitive thinking)

What is the memory-cueing hypothesis?

suggests that when we are presented with circumstances that are contextually familiar, they will trigger the retrieval of related memories or strategies from our memory.