Author Question: You and your friend are debating the greatness of the human mind. She claims that relying on schemas ... (Read 68 times)

bb · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

You and your friend are debating the greatness of the human mind. She claims that relying on schemas and automatic processes is ultimately detrimental, but you contend that such processes have their benefits.

List and explain three benefits to relying on schemas and automatic processes, as well as three drawbacks to using these processes.
What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Counterfactual reasoning is like controlled thinking in that it is ________, but it can be like automatic thinking in that it may be ________.

a. conscious; effortless
b. effortful; involuntary
c. intentional; nonconscious
d. voluntary; instantaneous

batool · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Schemas can be beneficial because they help to quickly organize a complex world, reduce ambiguity in our environment, and can help us make quick decisions in a dangerous situation. Automatic processes such as unconscious thinking are helpful because they can actually result in better decision-making at times, and require little effort. Schemas and automatic processes do have their drawbacks. Specifically, relying too heavily on heuristics (representativeness and availability) may result in inaccurate judgments. Additionally, relying on schemas about people can lead to inaccurate decisions and seeing potential harm where there is none.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: B