Psychology of Thinking

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Questions and Answers

Match the cognitive processes with their descriptions:

Attention = Focusing on specific stimuli while ignoring others Imagination = Forming mental images or concepts not present in reality Problem-solving = Finding solutions to difficult or complex issues Memory = Storing and recalling past experiences and knowledge

Match the type of thinking with its characteristic:

Daydreaming = Unconscious and often spontaneous thought Free association = Expressing thoughts without censorship Concept formation = Creating categories based on observed similarities Rationalization = Providing logical explanations for decisions or beliefs

Match the components of cognition with their roles:

Cerebral cortex = Higher center of the brain regulating cognitive functions Senses = Channels through which information from the environment is gathered Knowledge base = Accumulation of information and experiences over time Awareness = Consciousness of the thinking process occurring at any moment

Match each source of knowledge acquisition with its example:

Parents = Instilling values and practical skills Teachers = Educating on various subjects including science and literature Books = Providing structured information and narratives Personal experience = Learning through direct involvement in events and situations Signup and view all the answers

Match each aspect of thinking with its function:

Manipulation = Transforming information for better understanding Evaluation = Assessing information or experiences to form opinions Remembering = Retrieving stored information to apply in current situations Imagining = Creating scenarios beyond current reality Signup and view all the answers

Match the definitions with the types of knowledge:

Propositions = Statements that express judgments or opinions Facts = Information that can be proven true or false Rules = Guidelines that dictate expected behaviors or processes Concepts = Abstract ideas that represent categories or themes Signup and view all the answers

Match the thinking tasks with their attributes:

Remembering = Recollections of past experiences and information Imagining = Innovating and visualizing future possibilities Problem-solving = Strategically working through obstacles to find answers Daydreaming = Engaging in spontaneous and often fanciful thoughts Signup and view all the answers

Match the stages of cognition with their outcomes:

Input = Gathering information from the environment Processing = Manipulating information internally Storage = Keeping information for future recall Output = Expressing acquired knowledge through actions or decisions Signup and view all the answers

Match the following problem-solving strategies to their descriptions:

Trial and Error = A method involving repeated attempts to solve a problem Algorithm = A step-by-step formula for solving problems Heuristic = A mental shortcut to simplify decision making Mental Set = A tendency to approach new problems by using past solutions Signup and view all the answers

Match the following scenarios with the appropriate problem-solving strategy:

Fixing a printer by checking connections = Trial and Error Following a recipe to bake a cake = Algorithm Choosing a restaurant based on past experiences = Heuristic Using a pre-learned formula for a math problem = Mental Set Signup and view all the answers

Match the following characteristics to their respective problem-solving strategies:

Trial and Error = Not always time-efficient Algorithm = Produces the same result every time Heuristic = Saves time but may not be the best decision Mental Set = Can inhibit creative problem-solving Signup and view all the answers

Match the following mental activities with their descriptions:

Inferring = Drawing conclusions based on observations Judging = Making evaluations or decisions about something Abstracting = Identifying essential characteristics or concepts Reasoning = Using logic to arrive at a conclusion Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of heuristics with their situations:

Too much information = Use a heuristic Limited decision time = Use a heuristic Unimportant decision = Use a heuristic Little information available = Use a heuristic Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Algorithm = A formula that ensures a correct result when followed Heuristic = A simplifying strategy for rapid decisions Trial and Error = A repetitive process of attempts and failures Mental Set = A fixed way of solving problems based on past success Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of reasoning with their characteristics:

Deductive reasoning = General to specific conclusions Inductive reasoning = Specific to general conclusions Logical reasoning = Based on premises that must be true Scientific reasoning = Draws general rules from specific instances Signup and view all the answers

Match the following examples with their corresponding reasoning type:

All mangoes are fruits = Deductive reasoning Jane is a good student = Inductive reasoning All fruits have seeds = Deductive reasoning Good students love reading = Inductive reasoning Signup and view all the answers

Match the following examples with the correct problem-solving concept:

Using Google search = Algorithm Deciding what to wear based on weather = Heuristic Trying different cables for a device = Trial and Error Solving puzzles with the same approach each time = Mental Set Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their categories:

Potato = Vegetable Towel = Cloth Sour = Property Fear = Abstraction Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements to their corresponding concepts:

Success leads to rigidity = Mental Set Focused problem-solving using resources = Directed thinking Completing tasks in smaller steps = Heuristic Always yields the same solution = Algorithm Signup and view all the answers

Match the following problem-solving steps with their order:

Judging = First step in evaluating options Abstracting = Identifying essential features Inferring = Drawing conclusions from data Imagining = Considering possible solutions Signup and view all the answers

Match the following consequences to the correct problem-solving strategies:

Limited creativity = Mental Set Might not find a solution quickly = Trial and Error Reliable for achieving consistent results = Algorithm Often leads to quick decisions = Heuristic Signup and view all the answers

Match the following outcomes to their respective strategies:

Increased chances of failure = Mental Set Recipe yields successful dish = Algorithm Quickly selecting an option = Heuristic Learning from mistakes = Trial and Error Signup and view all the answers

Match the following problem-solving factors with their relevance:

Traffic density = Influences route selection Road condition = Affects travel time Safety = Important for decision-making Time management = Ensures punctuality Signup and view all the answers

Match the following definitions with their key terms:

Concepts = Mental structures organizing knowledge Reasoning = Goal-directed thought process Problem-solving = Finding solutions to obstacles Abstracting = Distilling essential characteristics from stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of knowledge with their sources:

Stored information = Memory and experience Environmental information = Observations and external cues Logical rules = Principles guiding reasoning Categorical knowledge = Frameworks for organizing concepts Signup and view all the answers

Match the following elements of thinking with their functions:

Judging = Evaluating options and choices Imagining = Formulating potential solutions Reasoning = Drawing conclusions from premises Inferring = Understanding implications from observations Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Understanding Thinking

Thinking is a cognitive function that involves manipulating ideas, images, and mental representations.
It utilizes stored knowledge for tasks like remembering, imagining, problem-solving, and concept formation.
Humans rationalize problems by logically establishing relationships among concepts and forming opinions based on environmental evaluations.

Cognition and Knowledge Acquisition

The process of acquiring knowledge is termed cognition, influenced by cognitive functions such as attention and imagination.
Cognitive processes are managed by the cerebral cortex, highlighting their specificity to human beings.
Cognition utilizes concepts, facts, propositions, rules, and memories.

Nature of Thinking

Thinking can occur even during sleep, with awareness differentiating it from non-thinking activities.
It is a constructive process, transforming information into new representations and involving activities like inferring, abstracting, and creative thinking.

Problem-Solving Process

Problem-solving initiates thinking, which follows steps like judging, abstracting, inferring, and reasoning.
Decisions may depend on various factors like conditions of the environment, traffic situations, and safety considerations.

Concepts and Reasoning

Concepts categorize objects and events, allowing systematic organization of knowledge. They can infer behaviors but cannot be directly observed.
Reasoning, essential for logical thinking and problem-solving, involves drawing conclusions from facts and stored information. Two types of reasoning:
- Deductive Reasoning: From general premises to specific conclusions (e.g., "All fruits have seeds, therefore mangoes have seeds").
- Inductive Reasoning: From specifics to general conclusions, which may not always be empirically true (e.g., "Some good students love reading, thus good students may love reading").

Role of Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is integral to daily life, varying in complexity and duration. It uses both internal (mental) and external (social) resources to find solutions.
A mental set refers to the tendency to approach new problems with strategies that worked in the past, which may hinder innovative thinking.

Problem-Solving Strategies

Trial and Error: Involves testing multiple solutions until one works; often time-consuming.
Algorithms: Step-by-step instructions that guarantee the same outcome, often found in computing and like a recipe.
Heuristics: General problem-solving frameworks or mental shortcuts that expedite decision-making, though not always rational or accurate.

Conditions for Employing Heuristics

Heuristics are utilized under specific conditions:
- When faced with excessive information.
- When a decision must be made quickly.
- For decisions deemed unimportant.
- With limited information available.
- When a familiar heuristic comes to mind.

Application of Heuristics

A common heuristic is breaking down large tasks into smaller steps, making daunting projects manageable (e.g., writing a long essay).
A "working backwards" approach focuses on the end result, assisting in effectively solving a problem.