PSY FPX 7421 Assessment 6 Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Intelligence

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Capella University

PSY FPX 7421 Cognitive/Affective Psychology

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Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Intelligence

Problem solving, decision making, and intelligence are essential cognitive processes that are crucial for navigating everyday life. Problem solving involves the use of creativity to overcome challenges and achieve objectives. Decision making relies on reasoning and an understanding of consequences to determine the best course of action. Intelligence, whether human or artificial, encompasses cognitive abilities that are vital for adaptation and learning. These functions are often interconnected, influencing one another in various contexts. This review examines the literature on these topics, addressing multicultural and ethical considerations while exploring their physiological foundations.

Problem-Solving and Creativity

Problem solving and creativity are closely intertwined within cognitive processes, each contributing to innovative solutions. Problem solving involves identifying obstacles that stand between the current state and a desired goal, as well as developing strategies to overcome these challenges (Goldstein, 2019). Creativity, defined as the generation of novel ideas with potential value, plays a significant role in the problem-solving process. Creative problem solving requires thinking “outside the box” to produce unconventional solutions. Gestalt psychologists highlight the importance of understanding how problems are represented and reorganized in productive thinking (Goldstein, 2019). Both convergent and divergent thinking patterns influence creative problem solving, with divergent thinking allowing for open-ended exploration of multiple solutions (Goldstein, 2019).

Multicultural/Ethical Aspects

In multicultural environments, integrating diverse perspectives enhances creativity in problem solving. While brainstorming is a common technique, generating ideas individually before synthesizing them as a group may yield better results (Goldstein, 2019). Diversity within teams promotes creativity by incorporating unique viewpoints (Leung & Wang, 2015). Ethical considerations also play a significant role in problem solving and decision making. The way choices are framed can affect decision-making strategies, potentially leading to ethical dilemmas (Goldberg, 2019). Additionally, emotional influences on reasoning and decision making complicate ethical considerations, as emotions can impact choices and perceptions (Goldberg, 2019).

Brain Physiology

The physiological basis of problem solving and decision making involves complex neural networks. Brain imaging studies indicate that executive control networks are activated during creative tasks (Goldstein, 2019). Different types of problem solving engage distinct brain regions, underscoring the complexity of cognitive processes (Goldstein, 2019). Decision making relies on brain areas associated with emotion and cognitive control, with neural activity reflecting the evaluation of choices (Goldberg, 2019).

Decision Making and Reasoning

Decision making encompasses various reasoning strategies, including inductive and deductive approaches. Inductive reasoning involves drawing conclusions based on observations and past experiences (Team, 2023). In contrast, deductive reasoning relies on logical premises to derive conclusions, though it may have limitations in flexibility (Team, 2023). Decision-making frameworks, such as the utility approach, emphasize rational decision making but may overlook emotional and contextual factors (Goldberg, 2019). Dual systems theory posits that both unconscious and conscious mental processes influence decision making (Goldberg, 2019).

Human and Artificial Intelligence

Intelligence encompasses cognitive abilities that are essential for learning and adaptation. Human intelligence involves complex cognitive processes, including inference, language use, and problem solving (Miller, 2003). Artificial intelligence (AI) simulates cognitive functions through reinforcement learning algorithms (Zhao et al., 2022). Despite advancements, AI lacks emotional intelligence, which presents challenges in decision-making scenarios (Zhao et al., 2022). Multicultural considerations challenge traditional classifications of intelligence, emphasizing the social construction of concepts such as race (Sternberg, 2012).

Conclusion

Problem solving, decision making, and intelligence are interconnected cognitive processes influenced by multicultural, ethical, and physiological factors. Understanding the complexities of these processes is essential for addressing societal challenges and advancing cognitive science.

References

Goldstein, B. E. (2019). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research, and everyday experience (5th ed.). Cengage.

Leung, K., & Wang, J. (2015). Social processes and team creativity in multicultural teams: A socio-technical framework. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(7), 1008–1025.

Miller, G. A. (2003). The cognitive revolution: A historical perspective. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 7, 141–144.

Sternberg, R. J. (2012). Intelligence. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 14(1), 19–27.

Team, D. E. (2023, March 12). Inductive versus deductive reasoning: Understand the differences. Retrieved from https://dovetail.com/research/inductive-vs-deductive-reasoning/