THINKING, DECISION MAKING AND THEIR RELIABILITY IB Psychology LAJM

Thinking and decision-making Thinking modifies information E.g. analysis, synthesis and categorization Generates new knowledge Decision-making is about making a choice between alternatives Before we can choose, we must think about different alternatives

Thinking and decision-making Normative models Describe the way thinking should be (e.g. formal logic) They assume that unlimited time and resources are available Descriptive models Show what people actually do when they think Can be compared to normative models

META-ANALYSIS IS A STUDY OF STUDIES TASK Read pages 151-153 and complete the teacher’s handout META-ANALYSIS IS A STUDY OF STUDIES

Thinking and decision-making Adaptive decision-maker framework (Payne, Bettman and Johnson, 1993) Recognizes that emotions may influence thinking and decision-making Humans don’t always try to make rational choices

TASK Read pages 154–155 and familiarize yourself with the four strategies of decision-making according to adaptive decision-maker framework Do the exercise box on page 155

TASK Read pages 155–157 and familiarize yourself with the four strategy selection principles according to adaptive decision-maker framework How have you implemented these principles in your everyday life?

Thinking and decision-making Theory of reasoned action (TRA) is a macro-level model Focuses on choice outcomes and characteristics that predict these outcomes Adaptive decision-maker framework is a micro-level model Focuses on the process of making a decision and strategies being used when processing information

TASK Form small groups and do the exercise box on page 158 Make a schematic representation of Luce, Bettman and Payne (1997) study

Biases in thinking and decision-making Heuristics Shortcuts in thinking and decision-making Save time and energy Are based on experience Lead usually to cognitive biases

TASK Alan: Ben: intelligent industrious impulsive critical stubborn envious Ben: envious stubborn critical impulsive industrious intelligent

TASK Alan: Ben: WHICH ONE DID YOU VIEW MORE FAVOURABLE? ALAN OR BEN? intelligent industrious impulsive critical stubborn envious Ben: envious stubborn critical impulsive industrious intelligent LOOK AGAIN!

Biases in thinking and decision-making Daniel Kahneman (2011): Thinking, Fast And Slow Humans have two independent cognitive systems that operate sequentially

Biases in thinking and decision-making System 1 Operates automatically and quickly, with little or no effort and no sense of voluntary control Thinking is fast, intuitive and unconscious Cognitive ease System 2 Allocates resources to the effortful mental activities that demand concentration Thinking is slow, analytical and conscious Cognitive strain

Biases in thinking and decision-making Common causes of intuitive system 1 thinking The tendency to focus on limited amount of information The tendency to seek out information that confirms pre-existing beliefs The tendency to avoid mental stress of holding inconsistent cognitions

GROUP PROJECT Form six groups Each group is given one cognitive bias Each group compiles a small presentation, presents it and uploads it to OneNote Remember to mark your sources Define and describe the bias with effective examples Explain and evaluate one study that has researched the bias Give instructions on how to avoid the bias

GROUP PROJECT GROUP 1: Asymmetric dominance (171–172) GROUP 2: Framing effect (172–173) GROUP 3: Confirmation bias (173–174) GROUP 4: Congruence bias (174–175) GROUP 5: Illusory correlations and implicit personality theories (176–177) GROUP 6: Cognitive dissonance (177–178)

TASK Watch the following video on irrational decision making https://www.ted.com/talks/laurie_santos

TASK Is human thinking and decision-making reliable? On what basis they are? On what basis they are not? Can you trust your abilities in thinking and decision-making?

Sources Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast And Slow. Great Britain: Penguin Books. Parker, L., Popov, A. & Seath, D. (2017). Psychology Course Companion (2nd Edition). Oxford: Oxford.

Picture sources Meta-analysis <http://library.downstate.edu/EBM2/2700.htm> Accessed 19th of February 2018. Emoji <http://canvs.tv> accessed 19th of February 2018. Decision <http://kmit.in/emagazine/article/decision-making/> Accessed 19th of February 2018. Group of emojis <https://fi.pinterest.com/pin/363384263661489585/> Accessed 19th of February 2018. Rule of thumb <http://daysgoneby.me/dyk-rule-thumb/> Accessed 19th of February 2018. Daniel Kahneman <https://www.thedailybeast.com/daniel-kahnemans-gripe-with-behavioral-economics> Accessed 19th of February 2018. Laurie Santos <https://www.ted.com/speakers/laurie_santos> Accessed 19th of February 2018. Rodin’s thinker <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Thinker_Musee_Rodin.jpg> Accessed 19th of February 2018.