Cog : Thinking and decision making

Question 1

WHAT THEORY

Answer 1

Dual Processing theory

Question 2

whats the dual processing theory

Answer 2

The dual processing theory suggests that people have two systems of thinking. SYSTEM 1 SYSTEM 2. System 1 is a quick decision-making process that happens unconsciously and uses intuitive thinking. This is to be used when one has to make a decision on the spot or when they are in a critical situation.
System 2 takes longer time than System 1 because it requires analytical thinking.
In system 2, the person would usually analyze their surroundings and everything else revolving around the situation to choose or come up with the most advantageous solution.

Question 3

STUDY RESEARCHER

Answer 3

Tversky and Kahneman 74’

Question 4

AIM

Answer 4

demonstrate how the anchoring bias affected students when solving a math problem.

Question 5

PROCEDURE

Answer 5

The study was done with high school students. There were 2 conditions, “ascending condition” and “descending condition”. The “ascending condition” was asked to solve “1x2x3x4x5x6x7x8” in 5 seconds. The “descending condition” was asked to solve “8x7x6x5x4x3x2x1” in the same amount of time. The results showed that these in the “ascending condition” had a median prediction of 512. While those in the “descending condition” had a median prediction of 2250. The real answer was 40320.

Question 6

RESULTS

Answer 6

The students were under “critical” conditions because they had to estimate a value to the math problem given to them. This pushes their cognitive minds to use system 1 thinking from the dual processing theory because they had to think of a value quickly. Those who were in the “ascending order” used the first number they saw, 1, as a reference to quickly estimate a value. Meanwhile, those in the “descending condition” used the number 8 as a reference, resulting in a higher median than those in the “ascending condition”.

Question 7

CONCLUSION

Answer 7

The significant difference in estimations between the ascending and descending conditions highlights the power of the initial anchor. System 1 readily processes the first number, which has a greater influence in the ascending order due to the smaller numbers encountered later. Thereby supporting the dual processing theory.