Cognitive Approach: Thinking & Decision Making

Question 1

Define “thinking”

Answer 1

• the process of using knowledge and information to make plans, interpret the world, and make general predictions

Question 2

Define “decision-making”

Answer 2

• a component of thinking that involves the process of identifying and choosing alternatives based on the values/preferences of the decision-matter

Question 3

What is the dual-processing model?

Answer 3

• postulates that there are 2 basic modes of thinking - system 1 and 2

Question 4

What is system 1 thinking?

Answer 4

• automatic, intuitive, effortless
• often employs heuristics
• greater feeling of certitude but more prone to errors

Question 5

What are heuristics?

Answer 5

• mental shortcuts that involve focusing on one aspect of a complex problem and ignoring others

Question 6

What is system 2 thinking?

Answer 6

• slower, conscious, rational
• starts by thinking carefully about all the possible ways we could interpret a situation and gradually eliminates possibilities based on sensory evidence until we reach a solution
• lesser feeling of certitude
• system 1 is used before system 2 and can interfere with the effectiveness

Question 7

What is “thin-slicing?”

Answer 7

• argued that system 1 thinking can be effective for experts
• thin-slicing: process by which experts are sometimes able to know the correct answer to complex questions immediately
• very quick inferences about the state, characteristics, or details with minimal information

Question 8

Carrere & Gottman (1999) can be used for…

Answer 8

Thinking & decision making and reliability of memory

Question 9

Carrere & Gottman (1999) - aim

Answer 9

• to test the usefulness of the SPAFF system to predict long-term relationship success based on thin-slicing of interaction between couples
• SPAFF - specific affect coding system - predicts how likely couples will be together in 6 years based on 3-minute conversations

Question 10

Carrere & Gottman (1999) - procedure

Answer 10

• newlywed couples were recruited using a purposive sampling method which included an attempt to stratify the sample - range of economic and ethnic demographics
• each couple completed a survey individually and then discussed the results with a researcher to identify 1-2 problematic issues in the relationship
• served as a basis for a 15-minute discussion which was coded using SPAFF
• couples were checked annually for 6 years to see marital status

Question 11

Carrere & Gottman (1999) - findings

Answer 11

• in the first 3 minutes, the observers using SPAFF rated more negative emotional indications than positive

Question 12

Carrere & Gottman (1999) - conclusion

Answer 12

• it seems that we can learn to improve intuitive thinking
• system 1 thinking may be more reliable at times than system 2 regarding experts