Thinking, Problem Solving and Creativity

Inductive reasoning

Step 1: There are two main types of reasoning – inductive and deductive. Step 2: Inductive reasoning moves from specific cases to a general conclusion. Example: Seema, Shekhar and Bobby all feel tense before exams → Therefore, 'exams are stressful' (general conclusion). Step 3: Deductive reasoning does the opposite – it starts with a general principle and arrives at a specific fact. Example: Exams are stressful → Seema is giving an exam → Therefore, Seema is stressed. Step 4: Rationalisation is an error in reasoning, not a type. Step 5: Convergent reasoning is not a standard category of reason

Hindsight error

Step 1: Identify the key feature – Rohan is claiming he predicted the outcome AFTER it has already happened. Step 2: This is the classic definition of hindsight error, also called the 'knew-it-all-along effect'. Step 3: A person believes the outcome was foreseeable or inevitable after it has occurred, with no real prior evidence. Step 4: Rationalisation involves justifying one's own inappropriate behaviour with false logic. Fallacy of single cause means assuming one simple cause for a complex event. Faulty premises involve incorrect assumptions at the start of reasoning. Step 5: Since Rohan is

Bransford and Stein

Step 1: The IDEAL model is a specific framework for problem solving. Step 2: IDEAL stands for – Identify the problem, Define the problem, Explore possible strategies, Act on chosen strategies, Look back and evaluate. Step 3: This model was identified by American psychologist John D. Bransford and Dr. Barry E. Stein. Step 4: Newell and Simon are associated with means-end analysis. Tversky and Kahneman proposed availability and representativeness heuristics. Bruner, Goodnow and Austin did foundational work on concept formation. Step 5: Therefore, Bransford and Stein is the correct answer for the

Trial and error

Step 1: Identify the approach – the shopkeeper has no prior knowledge of the correct key and is testing each one blindly. Step 2: Trial and error is described as the most primitive and blind approach where every possible response is tried until one works. Step 3: Analogy involves using past experiences from similar situations – not applicable here since no prior experience is being used. Step 4: Heuristics involve mental shortcuts based on past experience – that is not what is happening. Means-end analysis involves breaking a problem into sub-goals – not applicable here. Step 5: Since the appr