Thinking Through Dilemmas: Schemas, Frames, and Difficult Decisions

This book explores the existence of "automatic deliberation," a mode of thinking that combines habitual understandings and conscious deliberation, based on empirical cases. It advances a blended view of cognition and appeals to sociologists and psychologists interested in cognition and decision-making.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book departs from the sociological dual process model, which categorizes thoughts into automatic and unconscious or deliberate and conscious occurrences. Instead, it presents empirical evidence to establish the existence of "automatic deliberation." Through in-depth research on how individuals approach challenging subjects like death and dying, pedophilia, and career decision-making, the author sheds light on a mode of thinking that combines habitual understandings with conscious deliberation. This volume advances a blended view of cognition, where individuals utilize schemas and frames to navigate complex topics, appealing to sociologists and psychologists interested in cognition and decision-making processes.

Introduction:
The sociological dual process model, which divides thoughts into automatic and unconscious or deliberate and conscious occurrences, has been a dominant framework in the study of cognition. However, this book challenges this model by presenting empirical evidence to establish the existence of "automatic deliberation." Through in-depth research on how individuals approach challenging subjects like death and dying, pedophilia, and career decision-making, the author aims to shed light on a mode of thinking that combines habitual understandings with conscious deliberation.

Habitual Understandings and Conscious Deliberation:
The book argues that individuals do not always engage in conscious deliberation when addressing difficult subjects. Instead, they often rely on habitual understandings, which are mental shortcuts or patterns of thought that are developed through repeated exposure to similar situations. These habitual understandings can be either positive or negative and can influence decision-making without conscious awareness.

Automatic Deliberation:
The author defines "automatic deliberation" as a mode of thinking that combines habitual understandings with conscious deliberation. In this mode, individuals draw on their habitual understandings to generate initial thoughts and ideas, which they then evaluate and refine through conscious deliberation. This process allows individuals to make decisions quickly and efficiently, but it also means that they may be susceptible to biases and errors.

Research Methodology:
The book employs a variety of research methodologies, including case studies, surveys, and experimental studies, to investigate the existence of automatic deliberation. The author analyzes the ways in which individuals address difficult subjects, their cognitive processes, and their decision-making outcomes to demonstrate the presence of automatic deliberation.

Implications for Cognition and Decision-Making:
The findings of the book have significant implications for cognition and decision-making. By recognizing the role of habitual understandings in decision-making, the book provides a new perspective on how individuals think through complex topics. It also highlights the importance of conscious deliberation in ensuring that decisions are made based on accurate and unbiased information.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book offers a novel approach to understanding cognition and decision-making. By demonstrating the existence of "automatic deliberation," it challenges the traditional dual process model and provides insights into how individuals make decisions in complex and challenging situations. The book's findings have significant implications for both sociologists and psychologists interested in cognition and decision-making processes.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367511654