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Reasoning, Judging, Deciding
The Science of Thinking
- Colin Wastell - Macquarie University, Australia
- Stephanie Howarth - Macquarie University, Australia
November 2021 | 432 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Are humans effective thinkers? How do we decide what is right? Can we avoid being duped by fake news?
Thinking and Reasoning is the study of how humans think; exploring rationality, decision making and judgment within all contexts of life. With contemporary case studies and reflective questions to develop your understanding of key dilemmas, this book covers the fundamentals of the science behind thinking, reasoning, and decision-making, making it essential reading for any student of Thinking and Reasoning.
From heuristic biases to the cognitive science of religion, and from artificial intelligence to conspiracy theories, Wastell & Howarth's text clearly and comprehensibly introduces you to the core theories of thinking, leaving no stone unturned, before showing you how to apply theory to practice.
'The unique selling point of the book is the inclusion of current topics and recent developments, a very good structure and it approaches the field from a very wide angle.'
Chapter 1. Inheritors of the Enlightenment
Chapter 2. A Cognitive Revolution? When the mind began to matter!
Chapter 3. Thinking Under Uncertainty: Expected Utility Theory
Chapter 4. Prospect Theory: Heuristics and some biases
Chapter 5. Ecological Rationality: Are humans effective thinkers?
Chapter 6. Dual Process Models: Is the mind made up of two components?
Chapter 7. Mind: Modular and Extended: Is the mind made up of many components, internal and external?
Chapter 8. Deduction, Induction, Abduction: Reasoning formal and speculative
Chapter 9. Problem Solving Including Analogical Reasoning: Learning to answer the question that is asked!
Chapter 10. Imagination: The play space of the mind
Chapter 11. Nudge: Making good outcomes more common
Chapter 12. Expertise: How do experts think?
Chapter 13. Moral Reasoning: How do people decide on what is right?
Chapter 14. Cognitive Science of Religion: What can models of the mind tell us about belief in the supernatural?
Chapter 15. Artificial Intelligence: Computer thinking: What kind of thinking can computers really do?
Chapter 16. Argumentative Theory: Is the construction of arguments central to human thinking?
Chapter 17. Three Thinking Illusions: How much of our thinking is done alone?
Chapter 18. Thinking and Uncertainty: What effect does not knowing for certain have on our thinking?
Chapter 19. Thinking Scientifically: Easy or hard?
Chapter 20. Conspiratorial Thinking: Why are people so suspicious of governments and big business?
Chapter 21. Sceptical Thinking: How to avoid being duped by fake news!
I think it is a good supportive text for 2 of my modules looking at decision making in professional practice. I like the exercises included at the beginning of each chapter and plan to use some of these as seminar discussion starters. Good book.
Faculty of Education & Health, Greenwich University
March 22, 2022
This book is eminently readable and informative on a topic that is relevant but not central to my course. It will be placed on the recommended reading list. Students will find it useful and fitting as part of their wider reading.
London Sport Institute, Middlesex University
February 18, 2022
Interesting and well written.
Sch of Health & Social Sciences - HOS, Halmstad University
August 25, 2022
