Scribd
Upload
28 views

The Thinking Process: Problem Solving and Reasoning

Problem solving and reasoning are important thinking processes. Problem solving involves evaluating information to accurately predict outcomes and logically solve complex problems. It requires skills, knowledge, and a process to systematically address issues. Reasoning is goal-directed thinking that uses facts to draw conclusions and make judgments. Effective problem solving follows steps like defining the problem, generating solutions, evaluating alternatives, deciding on a solution, implementing it, and evaluating outcomes. Thinking and reasoning are mental processes, with reasoning using logic in a conscious way to understand issues and find solutions.

Uploaded by

Likhitha Chindham
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
28 views

The Thinking Process: Problem Solving and Reasoning

Problem solving and reasoning are important thinking processes. Problem solving involves evaluating information to accurately predict outcomes and logically solve complex problems. It requires skills, knowledge, and a process to systematically address issues. Reasoning is goal-directed thinking that uses facts to draw conclusions and make judgments. Effective problem solving follows steps like defining the problem, generating solutions, evaluating alternatives, deciding on a solution, implementing it, and evaluating outcomes. Thinking and reasoning are mental processes, with reasoning using logic in a conscious way to understand issues and find solutions.

Uploaded by

Likhitha Chindham
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

THE THINKING PROCESS: PROBLEM

SOLVING AND REASONING


Problem Solving
Problem Solving is the capacity and the ability to evaluate information and to
accurately predict future outcomes. The ability to seek out logical solutions to complex
problems. The ability to calmly and systematically solve problems 
without making things worse.

"There are No Problems, Only Solutions" - Modern problems sometimes require


modern solutions. Almost any problem is feasible.

Every problem can be solved, you just have to learn how to solve it. There is a 
process to problem solving, but you also need skills, knowledge and information in
order to be a good problem solver. Problem solving skills are the most important skills
to have. They are the most widely used skills in every human’s life. The majority of our lives
are spent solving problems. Most problems are easy to solve and take very little time, while
other problems could take hours, days, weeks, months and even years to solve. But if you
don't start, you will never finish, and the problem will never go away. So if you don't
learn how to solve problems, then you will always have problems. Never underestimate the 
importance of learning. The benefits from learning are endless.
Problems - Difficult Situations
Problem is a state or a source of difficulty that needs to be resolved. A question raised for
consideration or solution. A problem could be an accident, or a misunderstanding, or a mistake, or a 
consequence, or an emergency, or a phenomenon or an error.

Problem Domain is the area of expertise or application that needs to be examined to solve a problem. 
Focusing on a problem domain is simply looking at only the topics of an individual's interest, and excluding
everything else.

Problematic is something open to doubt or debate. Making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or
solve or believe. Not settled, uncertain, of uncertain outcome; debatable, questionable, open to doubt. Difficult
to overcome, solve, or decide.

Problem Solving consists of using generic or ad hoc methods, in an orderly manner, for finding solutions
to problems. First gather as much information about the subject as you can. Then learn as much as you can
about how this Information relates to each other and to the subject. Planning - Collaborations - 
Group Decisions - Meetings.

Trouble is an event causing distress or pain. To cause inconvenience or discomfort to. Emergency.

Predicament is a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one.
Predicament is a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an
unpleasant or trying one.

Circumstances are the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation


or event. Information that should be kept in mind when making a decision. A
condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity. 
Extenuating Circumstances.

Conditions is the state of things at a particular time. The prevailing context that
influences the performance or the outcome of a process. The set of circumstances
that affect someone's welfare. A state at a particular time. An assumption on which
rests the validity or effect of something else. Information that should be kept in
mind when making a decision. The procedure that is varied in order to estimate a 
variable's effect by comparison with a control condition. Odds.

Situation is the general state of things or the combination of circumstances at


a given time. A complex or critical or unusual difficulty. Emergencies.
Reasoning is another key aspects of thinking. It is a
process that involves inference. Reasoning is used in
logical thinking and problem solving. It is goal
directed, and the conclusions or judgments are drawn
from a set of facts.
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.
Six step guide to help you solve problems
Step 1: Identify and define the problem. State the
problem as clearly as possible. ...
Step 2: Generate possible solutions. ...
Step 3: Evaluate alternatives. ...
Step 4: Decide on a solution. ...
Step 5: Implement the solution. ...
Step 6: Evaluate the outcome.
Thinking is perhaps one aspect of our mental activity which continues
even when we are asleep. The difference between what is thinking and
what is not thinking is just our awareness about the particular
thinking process. Hence thinking is a complex mental process which
involves manipulation of information. Thinking is a constructive
process in the sense that it helps us to form a new representation of
any object or event by transforming available information. It involves
a number of mental activities, such as inferring, abstracting,
reasoning, imagining, judging, problem solving, and creative thinking.
Such activities take place in our mind and can be inferred from our
behaviours. Thinking is usually initiated by a problem and goes
through a sequence of steps such as judging, abstracting, inferring,
reasoning, imagining, and remembering. These steps are often
directed towards solution of the problem.
Thinking relies on a variety of mental structures such as
concepts and reasoning. We will briefly learn about these
mental structures. Concepts: Concepts are one of the key
elements of thinking. Concepts represent objects,
activities, ideas, or living organisms. They also represent
properties (such as “sour” or “brave”), abstractions (such
as “anger” or “fear”), and relations (such as “smaller than”
or “more intelligent than”). Concepts are mental
structures which allow us to organize knowledge in
systematic ways. We cannot observe them directly, but we
can infer them from behaviour.

Key Difference – Thinking vs Reasoning
 
Thinking and reasoning are two mental processes between which a key difference can be discerned. Thinking encapsulates
a large arena of thought production that can be either conscious or unconscious. On the contrary, reasoning is limited to the
conscious production of mental thought with the use of logic. As you can see from the very definitions themselves, unlike
reasoning, thinking is not always logical, nor is it conscious.
What is Thinking?
Thinking can be understood as a mental process which produces thoughts. In academic disciplines such as philosophy, 
psychology, biology, and even neurology, the thought process is being studied. It is stated that all human beings have the
capacity to think although how thoughts are produced and why are still debated. In philosophy, thinking is believed as one of
the foundations of human existence. The ideas of Rene Descartes clearly highlight this (‘I think, therefore, I am’).
Thoughts allow people to organize their ideas and feelings. It can also be considered as one of the basic factors that underlie
human behavior. When we think it helps us to make sense of the work around us and interpret it in our own way. In this
sense, thinking is extremely beneficial to people to deal with day to day occurrences and realize their ambitions. According to
psychologists, thinking can be both a conscious process and sometimes an unconscious process as well. Of the various
branches of psychology, cognitive psychology focuses the most on thinking or thought processes. Cognitive psychologists study
how the thought process changes as individuals reach different stages in life from childhood to adulthood.
What is Reasoning?
Reasoning is also a mental process. This can be understood as a sub process of thinking. However, the key difference is that
unlike thinking which could be a conscious or an unconscious process, reasoning is most definitely a conscious process. This
requires logic. A person who reasons uses the various facts involved in a particular issue and tries to logically comprehend and
find a solution to th

You might also like