CBSE CLASS 11 PSYCHOLOGY CH 7 THINKING

NCERT SOLUTIONS CBSE CLASS 11 PSYCHOLOGY

CBSE CLASS 11 PSYCHOLOGY CH 7 THINKING NCERT SOLUTIONS 

We offer Different Solutions which students from Class 11 & 12 face during their CBSE boards exam preparations and also during their CUET UG preparations. Please check them out:

1. Explain the nature of thinking.

Thinking is a cognitive process that is fundamental to human beings. It involves manipulating and analyzing information received from the environment to solve problems, make decisions, and form judgments. This process includes various activities such as abstracting, reasoning, imagining, problem-solving, judging, and decision-making. Thinking is typically organized and goal-directed. When faced with a task, we often plan our approach by recalling similar situations from the past or by inferring new strategies for unfamiliar tasks. Since thinking is an internal mental process, it can only be inferred from our outward behaviors, such as talking, writing, or other actions that represent our thoughts.

2. What is a concept? Explain the role of concept in the thinking process.

A concept is a mental representation or category that groups together objects, ideas, or events that share common properties. For instance, "dog" is a concept that includes various breeds of dogs, each differing in size or color but sharing essential traits like being a domesticated animal with fur. Concepts help in organizing and structuring knowledge. When we form concepts, we can access and use this information more quickly and efficiently. Concepts are often organized in hierarchical levels:

• Superordinate level: The most general category (e.g., "animal").
• Basic level: An intermediate category (e.g., "dog").
• Subordinate level: The most specific category (e.g., "Golden Retriever").

We generally use basic-level concepts in daily communication, and children first learn these before understanding higher or more specific levels.

However, many concepts are not clear-cut and are considered "fuzzy." For example, deciding whether a small stool fits into the category of "chair" or "table" can be difficult because it shares traits with both. To overcome this, we rely on prototypes, which are the best or most typical examples of a concept. In the case of the stool, we compare it to a standard chair or table to see which one it more closely resembles. This process of prototype matching helps us categorize objects even when the boundaries of concepts are unclear.

3. Identify obstacles that one may encounter in problem solving.

There are several obstacles that can hinder problem-solving:

• Mental Set: This refers to the tendency to approach problems using methods that have worked in the past, even if they are not the most effective for the current problem. People often repeat the same approach, limiting their ability to consider alternative solutions.
• Lack of Motivation: Sometimes, people give up too quickly when faced with difficulties. If the initial attempt doesn’t lead to success, they might lose interest or motivation to continue searching for a solution. Persistence is necessary to overcome obstacles and find solutions.

4. How does reasoning help in solving problems?

Reasoning is a mental process where we gather and analyze information to draw conclusions or solve problems. It helps in problem-solving by allowing us to evaluate the available evidence and make informed decisions. Reasoning can be:

• Deductive reasoning: This involves starting from a general principle or assumption and applying it to specific cases. For example, you may assume that people run on the railway platform because they are late for their train. If you see someone running, you conclude that they are likely late. However, this reasoning can lead to errors if the initial assumption is wrong, as there could be other reasons for running.
• Inductive reasoning: This is the opposite, where you observe specific instances and then generalize them to form a broader conclusion. For example, if you see several people running late for their train, you might conclude that people often run when they are late.

Both types of reasoning help us make sense of the world and guide us in solving problems effectively.

5. Are judgment and decision-making interrelated processes? Explain.

Yes, judgment and decision-making are closely related. Judgment is the process of evaluating different options, while decision-making involves selecting one of those options. In decision-making, we assess the costs, benefits, and potential outcomes of each choice.

For example, choosing between two subjects, like psychology and economics, requires making a decision based on factors like interest, future career prospects, and availability of resources. Judgment helps us weigh these factors, and decision-making involves choosing the best option based on that evaluation.

In many real-life situations, decisions are made quickly, and we may not always evaluate every aspect thoroughly. Nonetheless, both judgment and decision-making work together to guide us in making choices.

6. Why is divergent thinking important in the creative thinking process?

Divergent thinking is crucial for creativity because it allows us to generate a wide range of ideas or solutions to a problem. Key abilities involved in divergent thinking include:

• Fluency: The ability to produce many ideas quickly.
• Flexibility: The ability to think in different ways or consider various perspectives.
• Originality: The ability to come up with unique or rare ideas.
• Elaboration: The ability to develop and expand upon ideas by adding details and implications.

Divergent thinking helps generate creative solutions that are not immediately obvious, making it essential for solving complex problems and thinking outside the box.

7. What are the various barriers to creative thinking?

Several factors can inhibit creative thinking:

• Habitual Learning: While habits can make tasks more efficient, they can also restrict our ability to think in novel ways. People may become so accustomed to seeing things from a familiar perspective that it becomes difficult to think differently.
• Perceptual Blocks: These blocks occur when we fail to see a problem from a new or fresh perspective. We may overlook solutions that don't fit our usual patterns of thinking.
• Motivational and Emotional Blocks: Lack of motivation, fear of failure, and negative emotions can prevent creative thinking. People might avoid attempting creative tasks because they fear ridicule or rejection.
• Cultural Barriers: Over-conformity to social norms, traditions, and expectations can limit creative expression. While conformity is important in some situations, excessive adherence to traditions and the fear of standing out can block creativity.

8. How can creative thinking be enhanced?

Creative thinking can be improved through various strategies:

• Being observant: Pay attention to your surroundings and identify problems or gaps that others may overlook. Developing a habit of asking questions and seeking answers helps spark creative thoughts.
• Generating multiple ideas: Don’t settle for the first idea. Try to come up with as many solutions or ideas as possible, increasing flexibility in your thinking.
• Brainstorming: This technique encourages generating ideas without judging their value right away. Postpone judgment to allow ideas to flow freely, and then evaluate them later.
• Exploring new combinations: Try mixing existing ideas or concepts in novel ways. This cross-pollination of ideas can lead to new, creative solutions.
• Engaging in creative activities: Engage in hobbies that stimulate your imagination, such as painting, writing, or problem-solving. These activities can enhance your ability to think creatively.
• Allowing time for incubation: Sometimes, stepping away from a problem and giving your mind time to relax can lead to creative breakthroughs.

9. Does thinking take place without language? Discuss.

Thinking and language are closely connected. According to the linguistic relativity hypothesis proposed by Benjamin Lee Whorf, language shapes the way we think. In its stronger form, this hypothesis suggests that our thoughts are limited or determined by the language we speak. For example, certain concepts may be easier to express in one language than in another.

However, research suggests that while language plays a significant role in shaping our thoughts, it's still possible to think in ways that are not tied to specific languages. Thoughts can occur without words, but language helps in structuring and expressing these thoughts clearly.

10. How is language acquired in human beings?

Language acquisition is influenced by both nature (innate ability) and nurture (learning from the environment).

• Skinner’s behaviorist theory suggests that language is learned through reinforcement and imitation. Children hear words from adults, imitate them, and are reinforced when they use them correctly. Over time, this helps them develop language skills.
• Chomsky’s theory of universal grammar argues that humans are born with an innate ability to learn language. He believed that children naturally acquire language without explicit teaching because they are born with a built-in understanding of grammar.

Both theories emphasize the role of interaction with the environment in learning language, but Chomsky added that humans have an inborn capacity to learn language quickly, especially during a critical period of development.

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