2. Introduction
Thinking is the base of all cognitive activities or
processes and is unique to human beings. It involves
manipulation and analysis of information received
from the environment.
Therefore, It is a higher mental process which
manipulate and analyse the acquired or existing
information. It occur by means of abstracting,
reasoning, imagining, problem solving, judging, and
decision-making.
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4.
5. Definition
Thinking is the activity of human reason as a process
of strengthening the relationship between stimulus
and response.
“Thinking is a problem-solving process in which we
use ideas or symbols in place of overt activity”.
(Gilmer)
6. Types of thinking
Perceptual or Concrete Thinking
Perceptual thinking is the simplest form of thinking that
primarily utilities our perception.
It is also known as concrete thinking because our thoughts
reflect our perception of concrete objects, exact
interpretations or the literal meaning of language rather
than applying other concepts or ideas to decipher the same
information.
7. Conceptual or Abstract thinking
Refers to an individual’s ability to form thoughts
about the information presented to them using
complex concepts and ideas.
It is a critical aspect of social interactions and
communication as it allows individuals to study non-
verbal cues, understand humour.
The ability to think in this manner usually develops in
late childhood and adolescence.
Abstract thinkers also perform well on standardised
intelligence tests.
8. Reflective thinking
It is utilised when we are trying to solve complex
problems. In order to do so, our brain reorganises all of
our experiences pertinent to a specific situation in an
attempt to relate experiences and ideas to find viable
solutions.
Reflective thinking may therefore be understood as an
introspective cognitive process.
9. Critical thinking
It is one of the most complex thinking processes that
requires higher cognitive skills and abilities such as
reflection and reconstruction of thoughts and
experiences
So that individual may interpret, analyse, evaluate and
make inferences in a purposefully self-regulatory
manner that is unbiased.
Critical thinkers need to separate themselves from
their inherent prejudices and belief systems in order to
arrive at the truth of a problem.
10. Creative Thinking
American psychologist B.F. Skinner defined creative
thinking as the ability of an individual to draw new,
original, ingenious and unusual inferences about their
environment.
It allows individuals to interpret their surroundings in
novel ways and arrive at innovative solutions for the
challenges posed by their environment.
It is considered to be one of the most important
components of one’s cognitive behaviour because it is
an entirely internal mental process.
11. Stages (Preparation stage)
the first stage involves prep work and idea generation.
This is when you gather materials and conduct
research that could spark an interesting idea.
Brainstorm and let your mind wander this will help
you consider all possible approaches to building out
your idea.
In this first part of the process, your brain is using its
memory bank to draw on knowledge and past
experiences to generate original ideas.
12. Incubation stage
the second stage is where you let it go. Part of creative
thinking is taking a step away from your idea before
you sit down to flesh it out.
You might work on another project or take a break
from the creative process altogether
Walking away from your idea might seem
counterproductive, but it’s an important stage of the
process.
During this time, your story or song or problem is
incubating in the back of your mind.
13. Illumination stage
Sometimes called the insight stage, illumination is
when the “aha” moment happens and a spontaneous
new connections are formed and all of that material
you’ve gathered comes together to present the solution
to your problem.
In this third stage, the answer to your creative quest
strikes you.
14. Evaluation stage
During this stage, you consider the validity of your
idea and weigh it against alternatives.
This is also a time of reflection when you look back at
your initial concept or problem to see if your solution
aligns with your initial vision.
15. REVISION
During this stage any modification needed are made.
Creative thinker consider his solution as perfect or
final
It is open for modification or revision.
16. Levels of thinking
In 1956, a group of educators and educational
psychologists led by Benjamin Bloom published a
taxonomy
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18. Stages in development of thinking
Introduction:-
Jean William Fritz Piaget (1896 - 1980) was a Swiss
psychologist.
Piaget's theory of cognitive development determine
the children thought process and its difference from
adults.
During cognitive development the individual strive to
find equilibrium between self and environment.
19.
20. The sensorimotor stage
The first stage of development lasts from birth to
approximately age two.
At this point in development, children know the world
primarily through their senses and motor movements.
21. The preoperational stage
The second stage of development lasts from the ages of
two to seven.
Development of language and the emergence of
symbolic play.
But are unable to understand cause effect relationship
and also has a decrease ability to understand others
point of view.
22. The concrete operational stage
The third stage of cognitive development lasts from
the age of seven to approximately age 11.
At this point, logical thought emerges, but children
still struggle with abstract and theoretical thinking.
There is a corresponding expansion in their ways of
thinking about other people because of influence of
social environment.
23. The formal operation stage
In the fourth and final stage of cognitive development,
lasting from age 12 and into adulthood,
Children become much more adapt at abstract
thought and deductive reasoning.
The child develop ability to think on scientific basis
and find solution to the problem.
24. Reasoning
It is a highly specialized thinking which helps an
individual to explore mentally the cause and effect
relationship of an event
Or
Solution of a problem by adopting some well-
organized systematic steps based on previous
experience combined with present observation.
25. Definition
Sherman defined, “reasoning is a process of thinking
during which the individual is aware of a problem
identifies, evaluates, and decides upon a solution”.
Garrett defined, “Reasoning as a stepwise thinking
with a purpose or a goal in mind.”
26. Type of reasoning
1. Inductive reasoning:
It is a specialized thinking aimed at the discovery or
construction of a generalized principle by making use
of particular cases, special examples and identifying of
elements or relations.
Or individual take specific cases or example and then
generalized the solution, conclusion or finding then
generalize the finding to a specific population.
For example, Mohan is mortal, Radha is mortal, Karim
is mortal; therefore, all human beings are mortal.
27. Deductive reasoning
It is the ability to draw some logical conclusions from
known statement or evidences.
Here one starts with already known or established
generalized statement or principle and applies it to
specific cases.
For example, all human beings are mortal you are a
human being, therefore, you are mortal.
28. Problem Solving Method
In cognitive psychology, the term problem-solving
refers to the mental process that people go through to
discover, analyze, and solve problems
29. Definition
Problem solving is the act of defining a problem;
determining the cause of the problem; identifying,
prioritizing, and selecting alternatives for a solution;
and implementing a solution.
30. Identifying the Problem
Identifying the problem seems like the obvious first
stem, but it’s not exactly as simple as it sounds. People
might identify the wrong source of a problem, which
will render the steps thus carried on useless.
31. Cont.
let’s say you’re having trouble with your studies.
identifying the root of your failure is your first priority.
The problem here could be that you haven’t been
allocating enough time for your studies, or you haven’t
tried the right techniques. But, if you make an
assumption that the problem here is the subject being
too hard, you won’t be able to solve the problem.
32. 2. Understanding the Problem
It’s vital to properly define the problem once it’s been
identified. Only by defining the problem, further steps
can be taken to solve it. While at it, you also need to
take into consideration different perspectives to
understand any problem; this will also help you look
for solutions with different perspectives.
33. Cont.
Let’s say you have identified the problem as not being
able to allocate enough time for your studies. You need
to sort out the reason behind it. Have you just been
procrastinating? Have you been too busy with work?
You need to understand the whole problem and
reasons behind it, which is the second step in problem
solving
34. Collection of relevant information
Individual need to collect all the data regarding the
problem and the possible viable solution toward that
problem.
Individual may consult experienced person, read the
available solution, revive his experience and think
about the solution regarding the problem in hand.
35. Formulation of hypothesis
In the presence of the collected information individual
find out viable solutions to the problem by engaging in
the serious mental activity as a result he may be left
with a few possible solution.
36. Selection of proper solution
Evaluate alternatives relative to a target standard
Evaluate all alternatives without bias
Evaluate alternatives relative to established goals
Evaluate both proven and possible outcomes
State the selected alternative explicitly
