The ability that sets human beings apart from other animals is cognitive capacity. Humans have a larger brain with a neocortex that helps them think, reason or solve problems. This ability is what gives us an edge over other living beings. Every day, we face numerous challenges and problems, and we attempt to solve these through many techniques. Humans have the power of thinking and reasoning. These are essential tools that help humans survive in the face of adversity and help us live meaningful lives. It enables us to navigate through the challenges that life throws at us.
In psychology, the reasoning is the process through which people reason or come to conclusions. This involves studying the process humans use to solve problems and come to a decision. The same reasoning is also covered in several other fields, such as philosophy, science, literature, logic, etc. In everyday life, people mostly use two processes for reasoning: deductive and inductive reasoning.
Major types of reasoning are
As a person initially learns a language, associating sounds with meanings they are familiar with requires an abstract thinking capacity. They start using more critical thinking and logic skills when they can analyze other people's noises and send sounds that others can receive. As they age, they start using more critical thinking involving logical reasoning.
According to Jean Piaget's theory of the development of cognition, reasoning develops in stages from infancy to childhood. According to him, as children grow and their capacity for working memory enlarges, their speed of processing increases. This leads to enhanced executive functions and better control over them. During these stages, children become increasingly self-aware. In the final stage of Piaget's theory, children gain enough experience, leading to increased logic. They started looking at problems in an abstract manner and began to look for multiple solutions to the problem. They start thinking scientifically about the world around them. The way one justifies things also affects how one reason. Erroneous thinking frequently results from illogical reasoning. Logic is the study of sound reasoning, which aids in rational thought. Therefore, we should encourage our kids to use reason daily. They use various methods of reasoning. Two of the most well-known methods are as follows −
Inductive reasoning refers to finding a solution from specific information to a more generalized principle, also known as a "bottom-up" approach. For instance, penguins cannot fly, a penguin is also a bird, and all birds cannot fly. Deductive reasoning is a top-down approach where one derives specific conclusions from a generalized principle. This means that one moves from general premises to specific ideas. A person starts with a theory and develops a hypothesis, and they further empirically test the hypothesis. Data is collected from multiple sources, and a statistical test helps to conclude the hypothesis. For example, all birds have wings; a penguin has wings; therefore, a penguin is a bird.
Being able to reason determines how people understand, assess, and accept statements and arguments, which significantly affects one's capacity to learn from new information and experiences. Your capacity for decision-making, aspect analysis, and other mental abilities are all tested via reasoning. Making decisions sensibly and successfully requires reasoning, which reasoning fosters. Your reasoning assesses decision-making capacity, aspect analysis, and other mental skills. Making wise and effective decisions involves reasoning, which is what reasoning encourages.
Problem-solving refers to a mental process wherein individuals are dedicated to solving a problem. They achieve this by acknowledging the problem, analyzing it, and taking effective steps toward solving it. It is not just about solving any problem or finding any solution; it involves attempting to come up with the best solution to any problem. A problem can have several solutions, and there is never just one way to solve a problem. In psychology, problem-solving is not just about finding solutions to psychological or mental health-related issues. It is also associated with the cognitive processes involved in solving any problem in life, and this involves using the thought process that leads to solutions.
There are many steps to solving a problem, referred to as problem-solving methods. This is a step-by-step process, and while dealing with a problem, one may have to go through them repeatedly to devise a viable solution. Here are the steps
Identifying the problem − This may seem easy, but it is the most important step. It involves acknowledging the problem and then trying to find out the source of the problem. If one does not understand the problem or identifies an incorrect one, one might waste time trying to solve an incorrect problem. For instance, if a child is having trouble playing an instrument, they must identify the problem (they cannot play the instrument). Later, they identify that they have not been holding the instrument correctly or have not dedicated enough time to practice.
Defining the problem − It is crucial to adequately define the problem at hand once it has been acknowledged. Once a person has defined a problem, they can take the right steps to solve it. At this stage, it is important to look at the problem from different angles to find many possible solutions. For instance, one can find playing an instrument difficult if one is not holding it properly.
Forming a strategy − Finding a solution requires developing a plan of action. Different tactics must be developed for each circumstance, considering each person's particular preferences. One cannot simply become a good musician overnight. If a person realizes that they cannot play the instrument, they will have to make a plan of action for effective playing.
Resource allocation − There are finite amounts of time, money, and other resources. One can choose the resources they need in the course to find the solution by deciding how important it is to solve the challenge. If the issue is significant, more resources can be devoted to its resolution. Without appropriate planning, one might spend time and money on a problem that is less significant than one thinks.
Monitoring Progress − It is important to keep track of the progress while working on the problem. Effective problem-solvers are known to assess their performance regularly. Furthermore, they will reconsider their strategy or hunt for alternatives if they do not make the necessary advancements.
Reasoning and problem-solving are higher-order functions that humans use in their day-to-day lives. Maturity in reasoning and problem-solving is achieved with increasing age, life experience, and the ability to learn from mistakes. These are important skills that help us navigate simple and complex problems. The reasoning is arriving at a decision or conclusion, whereas problem-solving is finding the best solution to a problem.
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Economics
Psychology
Environmental Science
Social Studies
Fashion Studies
English