In cognitive psychology, what does dialectical thought involve?

• A. The use of rote memorization to solve complex problems
• B. The ability to consider and integrate opposing viewpoints to arrive at a synthesis
• C. The tendency to rely solely on concrete, observable facts when making decisions
• D. The preference for making decisions based on intuition rather than logic

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that dialectical thought is a concept in cognitive psychology related to how people process information and solve problems.
2. Recognize that dialectical thinking involves the ability to consider multiple perspectives, especially opposing or contradictory viewpoints.
3. Know that this type of thought goes beyond simple, linear thinking by integrating these opposing ideas to form a more comprehensive understanding or synthesis.
4. Differentiate dialectical thought from other cognitive styles such as rote memorization, reliance solely on concrete facts, or intuition-based decision making.
5. Conclude that dialectical thought is best described as the ability to consider and integrate opposing viewpoints to arrive at a synthesis.