Thinking
Nature of Thinking
Thinking involves manipulating and transforming information through processes such as reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, concept formation and imagination.
Concepts
Concepts are mental categories that help people organise information. They reduce cognitive complexity by allowing us to group objects, events or ideas according to shared characteristics.
Problem Solving
Problem solving involves identifying a goal, representing the problem, generating possible strategies and evaluating solutions. Algorithms provide systematic procedures; heuristics are useful shortcuts but can sometimes produce errors.
Reasoning and Decision-Making
Deductive reasoning moves from general premises toward specific conclusions, while inductive reasoning develops broader conclusions from particular observations. Decision-making can be influenced by biases, incomplete information and framing.
Explained MCQs
- What is a heuristic?
Answer: A mental shortcut used to make judgments or solve problems efficiently.
Explanation: Heuristics can save time but may also lead to systematic errors in some situations. - Why are concepts useful?
Answer: They organise information into meaningful categories.
Explanation: Without categorisation, every new object or event would have to be processed as completely unique.
HOTS
Explain how a shortcut that is useful in everyday decision-making can sometimes produce a biased conclusion.