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SAQ marking: Thinking models

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  • SAQ marking: Thinking models

Below you will find four sample SAQs for the question: Describe one model or theory of thinking and/or decision making with reference to one study.

For each of the samples, refer to the rubric to award marks 1 - 9. After each sample, there is a predicted grade as well as feedback on the strengths and limitations of the sample.

SAQ rubric

SAQ Sample 1

A model of thinking and decision-making would be the Dual System Model.  This consists of system 1 and system 2 thinking, both with their own traits. System 1 thinking could be regarded as the thinking we do most often, also referred to as our automatic way of thinking. This system is very quick at coming to a solution; however, one that can be quite inaccurate. This system sacrifices accuracy for time and can be regarded as a lazy way of thinking. System 2 thinking takes longer; however, it yields more accurate results and is the system we should be using to accurately problem solve. A study by Wason on the effect of a card game on system thinking demonstrates the model.

The study was a quasi-experiment. The researchers presented participants with a problem using a set of cards.  It was designed to activate both systems of thinking, with the obvious answer being incorrect and the right answer requiring system 2 thinking. Results showed a large number of incorrect answers which showed that the participants used system 1 thinking. Only a minority showed system 2 thinking.

The study shows how we have two different forms of thinking and how they play a role in the decisions we make.  These different systems can have an effect on the accuracy of our decisions but also work at different speeds.

344 words

The model is not correctly named, but this is not a problem. The system is described but focuses mostly on the speed of the system, rather than on how the system actually works. The study is appropriate but is misidentified as a quasi-experiment. The study is not described in a manner that actually shows a link to the thinking model. As a rule of thumb - if an examiner did not know the study, would she be able to understand the aim, procedure, and findings from the description?  In this case, I am afraid that she would not.  4 marks.

SAQ Sample 2

One theory of thinking and decision-making is the Dual Processing Model.  In this model of thinking, people use two types of thinking to handle information and complex tasks - system 1 and system 2 thinking. In system 1 thinking, the thinking process is fast, automatic and based on previous experience. As we practice something, it moves from requiring system 2 thinking to system 1 thinking. For example, this would be how one ties a shoe after repeated practice; the process has become automatic. System 2 thinking is slower, more deliberate and effortful, but also less prone to mistakes. We tend to use this system in unfamiliar situations when our system 1 thinking is not working. However, we prefer to use system 1 thinking as we are cognitive misers.  System 1 thinking uses mental shortcuts called heuristics - such as anchoring bias - where we fail to think logically about a decision using System 2 thinking and base our decisions on information that is immediately available to us. 

One study done on the Dual Processing Model was done by Wason.  He asked participants to carry out a logical puzzle involving four cards.  This puzzle was abstract, but if thought through correctly, could be relatively easy to solve.  He found participants repeatedly chose the wrong answers and afterward could not explain why they chose the cards that they did.  This suggests that they used their automatic system 1 thinking as opposed to the logic based system 2 thinking.  A follow-up study by a different researcher later found that with the same card task, if the task was not abstract, people were less prone to making mistakes. It appears that our system 1 thinking is less prone to errors in concrete situations. This study by Wason supports the Dual Processing Model as participants jumped to an incorrect decision without being able to explain their thinking process.

The model is very well described and there is a clear distinction made between the two systems of thinking. The study is appropriate and described in a manner that is clearly linked to the two systems of thinking.  A follow-up of the same study is acceptable as "one study." The task could be a bit more precisely explained.  8 marks.

SAQ Sample 3

Thinking and decision making is something that we are faced with every day and to help us understand it more, psychologists have proposed the Dual Processing Model of thinking and decision making. What this model postulates is that there are two systems of thinking.  System 1 thinking is unconscious, quick and "goes with the gut". It is the type of thinking that we could describe as "automatic". System 2 thinking requires more effort and energy.  It is conscious and tends to be slower than system 1 thinking. 

An example would be when we have to solve an unseen math problem. If we go with our gut and try to answer the question with a reasonable response based on past experience, then we are using system 1 thinking.  If, however, we take our time and think carefully about how to answer the question, we are using system 2 thinking.

148 words

The model is correct, but not described in enough detail. The example given is not a study, it is an anecdotal example.  2 marks.

SAQ Sample 4

One model of thinking and decision making is the Dual Processing Model. This theory states that we have two different ways of thinking.  One of the ways is system 1 thinking. This system of thinking is a quick way of thinking which relies on heuristics to come to a conclusion. It is also an unreliable way of thinking and decision making. The other way of thinking is called System 2 thinking. This system of thinking is a slower method and is often used to make complex decisions where the decision is not obvious or cannot be linked to past experience. This is also usually more reliable than system 1 thinking.

One study that tests the theory of the Dual Processing Model was done by Stroop. The researcher had participants read words that were associated with colours, but the word was always a different colour than the word that was read out. For example, from the list of words there could be the word "blue," but it would be written with red ink. For the first condition, the researcher told them to read the words out loud as fast as possible. This activated system 1 thinking and they were able to do it in a short amount of time.  For the second condition, they were told to say the colour of the words. When the participants attempted to do the task, they automatically started to say the word rather than the colour - using automatic system 1 thinking. This led to interference, taking longer to complete the task as they struggled to use system 2 thinking rather than system 1.

The results showed that this model of thinking does indeed have two distinctly different systems that are sometimes in conflict with one another.

322 words

The model could be more clearly described.  The study is appropriate and is well explained.  The link back to the model is present but could be more clearly developed.  6 marks.