Thinking & decision making

Question 1

Thinking

Answer 1

when we pay attention to the stimuli around us, we engage in a process known as thinking

• process of using knowledge and information to make plans, interpret the world, and make predictions about the world in general.
• several components of thinking - these include problem-solving, creativity, reasoning, and decision making.

Question 2

decision making

Answer 2

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

• Decision-making is needed during problem-solving to reach the conclusion.

Question 3

Problem solving

Answer 3

• thinking that is directed toward solving specific problems by means of a set of mental strategies.
• The concepts of problem-solving, decision- making and thinking are very much interconnected.

Question 4

The Dual Process Model of thinking and decision making

Answer 4

The Dual Process Model of thinking and decision making postulates that there are two basic modes of thinking - what Stanovich and West (2000) refer to as “System 1” and “System 2.”

Question 5

System 1

Answer 5

• an automatic, intuitive, and effortless way of thinking.
• system 1 thinking often employs heuristics - that is, a ‘rule’ used to make decisions or form judgments.
  This ‘fast’ mode of thinking allows for efficient processing of the often complex world around us but may be prone to errors when our assumptions do not match the reality of a specific situation.
• These errors may have greater consequences in our day-to-day lives bc system 1 thinking is expected to create a greater feeling of certitude – certainty that our initial response is correct.

Question 6

heuristics

Answer 6

are mental short-cuts that involve focusing on one aspect of a complex problem and ignoring others (Lewis, 2008).

Question 7

When do we use system 1

Answer 7

Gilbert and Gill (2000) have argued that we become more likely to use System 1 thinking when our cognitive load is high - that is, when we have lots of different things to think about at the same time, or we have to process information and make a decision quickly.

Question 8

System 2

Answer 8

• slower, conscious, and rational mode of thinking
• mode of thinking is assumed to require more effort.
• starts by thinking carefully about all of the possible ways we could interpret a situation and gradually eliminates possibilities based on sensory evidence until we arrive at a solution.
• Rational thinking allows us to analyze the world around us and think carefully about what is happening, why it is happening, what is most likely to happen next, and how we might influence the situation. This mode of thinking is less likely to create feelings of certitude and confidence.

Question 9

Final about the systems

Answer 9

It is important to remember that 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. Because System 1 is activated before System 2 can do its work, often System 1 interferes with the effectiveness of System 2.

Question 10

Atler & Oppenheimer aim

Answer 10

to investigate how font affects thinking

Question 11

atler & Oppenheimer procedure

Answer 11

40 Princeton students completed the cognitive reflections test (CRT)

• test was made up of 3 questions & measures whether people use fast thinking to answer a question (& get it wrong) or use slow thinking & get it right
• half of the students were given the CRT in easy to read font

Question 12

Wason aim

Answer 12

to investigate the role of intuitive and rational thinking in decision making

Question 13

Wason procedure

Answer 13

• participants were given 4 cards, & then given a rule to test by flipping over 2 of the 4 cards.
  
  • e.g. ‘Which card(s) must be turned over to test the idea that if a card shown an even number on one face then its opposite face is red?’ in accompaniment with 1 red card, 1 orange card, 1 no.3 card 1 no.8 card
  • designed to contrast the intuitive and rational thinking systems
• Wason explained to some participants how to approach questions like this - still gave an incorrect answer

Question 14

Wason results

Answer 14

Less than 10% of participants used rational thinking and gave the correct answer - majority of participants made an intuitive judgement without reasoning as an automatic response to the wording of the question

• matching bias, where in an abstract problem humans tend to be overly influenced by the wording or context of the problem.

Question 15

Wason conlcusion

Answer 15

Decision making can be influenced by the system used to process information. Wason also found that even when he explained to the participants how to approach questions like the ones in the selection task, many participants still gave an incorrect answer, demonstrating how system 1 can powerfully interfere with system 2