Modes of Thinking and Social Cognition
1) Our preconceptions and expectations (mental
set) affect thinking and judgment
2) There are at least 2 modes of thinking:
rational & experiential
3) Computers use algorithms (formulas &
logic that will solve a problem), whereas people rely more heavily on
heuristics (mental shortcuts)
4) Our thinking and judgments are colored by
context and framing
PROBLEM SOLVING
STAGES OF THOUGHT…
Preparation
Incubation
Intimation
Illumination
Verification
INCUBATION EFFECTS
e.g., the cheap necklace
problem
SET EFFECTS & FUNCTIONAL
FIXEDNESS
e.g., the candle mounting
problem, & swinging rope problem
MODES OF THINKING: Rational vs. Experiential
Cognitive Experiential Self
Theory (CEST),
A. Rational system
B. Experiential system
PEOPLE GENERALLY DO NOT
ATTEND TO RATIONAL INFO AND RELY ON INTUITION TO MAKE DECISIONS…
e.g., 10 winners & 90
losers vs. 1 winner & 9 losers
IS EXPERIENTIAL THOUGHT
ALWAYS MISLEADING?
Tim Wilson’s work on
analyzing reasons
THE WAY PEOPLE THINK IS LIKE
THE TELEPHONE SYSTEM
HEURISTICS
AVAILABILITY HEURISTIC
Tversky & Kahneman (1973)
REPRESENTATIVENESS HEURISTIC
e.g., base-rate fallacies
& conjunction fallacies
ILLUSORY CORRELATIONS
e.g., red lights &
lateness
FRAMING…
ANCHOR ADJUSTMENT HUERISTIC
e.g.,
COUNTERFACTUALS
e.g., Olympic medalists,
(Medvec, 1995)
Upward vs. Downward
counterfactuals
UPWARD
DOWNWARD