Thinking
Class 11 · Psychology
4 ideas in Class 11 Psychology, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Nature of Thinking
Part of: Thinking and solving
Thinking works on inner models: images of things seen, concepts grouping similar things, and schemas holding plans of events like a restaurant visit. Reasoning then moves in two ways: from a general rule to a sure case, or from many cases to a likely rule. Analogies map a known thing onto a new one, like a pump onto the heart.
Why it matters. Learners often argue from one case or mix wishes with proof. Knowing the building blocks and moves helps them reason cleanly.
Key words
- Image
- : An inner picture of a thing seen.
- Concept
- : A group of similar objects or ideas.
- Schema
- : A mental plan of usual events.
- Deductive reasoning
- : Moving from a rule to a sure case.
- Inductive reasoning
- : Moving from cases to a likely rule.
- Analogy
- : Mapping a known thing onto a new one.
Try it in two minutes
- Ask the learner to group five kitchen items two ways and name each group.
- Ask what plan they follow in a new eatery.
- Ask what follows if all late buses miss a stop and theirs is late.
- Ask what many white swans prove about all swans.
Try at home. Group bookshelf items three ways and state one rule-to-case and one case-to-rule inference.
Problem Solving and Decisions
Part of: Thinking and solving
Solving starts by spotting and naming the problem, then forming plans, trying them and checking results. Two blocks often strike: mental set, clinging to a tried method, and fixedness, seeing only one use of a thing. Decisions add weighing gains against losses, while quick heuristics save effort but can mislead.
Why it matters. Learners often jump to answers or reuse old methods blindly. These steps and warnings turn stuck moments into solvable ones.
Key words
- Problem solving
- : Moving from a start state to a goal.
- Mental set
- : Clinging to a tried method.
- Functional fixedness
- : Seeing only one use of a thing.
- Heuristic
- : A quick rule saving effort.
- Decision-making
- : Choosing after weighing options.
Try it in two minutes
- Ask the learner to name one stuck moment in sums or games.
- Ask what tried method they clung to.
- Ask what fresh use of one object they ignored.
- Ask what gains and losses each choice carries.
Try at home. Solve one home problem by naming it, listing three plans and testing one.
Creative Thinking
Part of: Creativity, language and thought
Creativity seeks many fresh answers, not one fixed one. It values fluency of many ideas, flexible shifts, and rare original turns. The process runs from hard preparation through quiet incubation to a sudden flash and then testing. Holding judgement, brainstorming freely and flipping problems around feed it.
Why it matters. Learners often chase one right answer and judge too soon. These habits free many ideas before choosing the best.
Key words
- Divergent thinking
- : Seeking many fresh answers.
- Convergent thinking
- : Seeking one correct answer.
- Fluency
- : Flow of many ideas.
- Originality
- : Rarity of an idea.
- Incubation
- : Quiet pause before the flash.
- Brainstorming
- : Free idea flow without judging.
Try it in two minutes
- Ask the learner to list ten uses of a brick in two minutes.
- Ban judging during the listing.
- Ask them to flip one hard problem around.
- Ask which idea deserves testing first.
Try at home. List fifteen uses of a newspaper, then pick three worth testing.
Thought and Language
Part of: Creativity, language and thought
Language carries thought in words, and word habits also steer thought paths. Babies babble, speak first words, stretch them too wide, and then build sentences. Knowing two tongues can widen word skill rather than confuse, when both grow with use.
Why it matters. Learners often call early speech errors foolish or fear two tongues confuse. Knowing the stages builds patience and pride in home languages.
Key words
- Babbling
- : Early sound play before words.
- Overextension
- : Stretching one word too wide.
- Bilingualism
- : Knowing and using two tongues.
- Linguistic relativity
- : Word habits steering thought paths.
- Grammar
- : Rules joining words into sense.
Try it in two minutes
- Ask the learner for their first remembered word play or rhyme.
- Ask what over-wide word a young cousin uses.
- Ask how two tongues help at home and in the market.
- Ask how one question's wording could shift an answer.
Try at home. Note a toddler's new words for a week and sort them into naming and action words.
What your child will practise
- Creative Thinking: Jungle Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Nature of Thinking: Candy Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Nature of Thinking: Candy Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Problem Solving and Decisions: Desert Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Thought and Language: Space Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Quiz: Creative Thinking (8 questions)
- Quiz: Nature of Thinking (8 questions)
- Quiz: Problem Solving and Decisions (8 questions)
- Quiz: Thought and Language (8 questions)