NCERT Class 11 Psychology Introduction to Psychology: Chapter 7 — Thinking
This chapter, 'Thinking,' from NCERT's Introduction to Psychology for Class 11, delves into the cognitive processes underlying human thought. It begins by defining thinking as a goal-directed mental activity involving problem-solving, reasoning, and decision-making. The text explores the nature of thinking, highlighting its role as a higher mental process that manipulates and analyzes acquired information through abstraction, imagination, and judgment. It also touches upon the building blocks of thought, such as mental images and words, and the relationship between language and thought. The chapter aims to provide students with an understanding of creative thinking, its development, and the process of language acquisition, ultimately enhancing their cognitive skills for CBSE learning.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Psychology |
| Book | Introduction to Psychology |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — Thinking |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 720 |
Learning outcomes
- Describe the nature of thinking and reasoning.
- Demonstrate understanding of cognitive processes in problem-solving and decision-making.
- Understand the nature and process of creative thinking and ways to enhance it.
- Understand the relationship between language and thought.
- Describe the process of language development and its use.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Thinking | A mental activity directed at solving a problem, making inferences, judging facts, and deciding between options. |
| Cognitive processes | Mental operations involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. |
| Problem solving | The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues. |
| Reasoning | The action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way. |
| Decision-making | The process of identifying and choosing alternatives based on certain criteria. |
| Creative thinking | The ability to think outside the box and come up with new, original ideas. |
| Language | A system of communication consisting of words, grammar, and syntax. |
| Mental images | Pictures in the mind that represent objects or events. |
| Abstraction | The process of considering something independently of its associations, attributes, or concrete accompaniments. |
| Inferences | Conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning. |
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Practice questions
- What is the primary definition of thinking in psychology? Answer: In psychology, thinking is defined as a mental activity directed at solving a problem, making inferences, judging certain facts, and deciding and choosing between options.
- What are the building blocks of thought mentioned in the chapter? Answer: The building blocks of thought are mental images and words.
- How is thinking described in terms of its goal orientation? Answer: Thinking is described as mostly organised and goal-directed, with activities ranging from simple tasks to complex problem-solving.
- Can thinking be directly observed? Explain. Answer: No, thinking is an internal mental process that can only be inferred from overt behaviour.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT a core aspect of thinking as defined in the chapter?
Explanation: While 'thinking' can be used colloquially for remembering, in psychology, it specifically refers to goal-directed mental activities like problem-solving, reasoning, and decision-making.
Q2. Thinking is considered a higher mental process that involves:
Explanation: Thinking involves actively manipulating and analyzing acquired or existing information through processes like abstraction, reasoning, and problem-solving.
Q3. What are the two primary forms in which knowledge is represented for thinking?
Explanation: The chapter states that thinking relies on knowledge represented in the form of mental images or words.
Q4. The chapter suggests that talking to oneself while solving a problem relates to:
Explanation: The text poses the question of why we talk while we think, linking it to the relationship between language and thought.
Q5. Which of the following is an example of inferring strategies for a new task?
Explanation: Inferring strategies is necessary when a task is new, implying the development of new approaches rather than recalling past methods.
Frequently asked questions
What is the psychological definition of 'thinking'?
In psychology, thinking is defined as a mental activity directed at solving a problem, making inferences, judging facts, and deciding between options.
What are the fundamental components or 'building blocks' of thought?
The building blocks of thought are mental images and words, which represent knowledge.
How does the chapter describe the goal-orientation of thinking?
Thinking is described as organized and goal-directed, whether for everyday activities like cooking or complex tasks like solving a math problem.
Can thinking be directly observed by others?
No, thinking is an internal mental process that cannot be directly observed but can be inferred from a person's behaviour.
What is the relationship between language and thought discussed in the chapter?
The chapter explores the relationship between language and thought, questioning why people talk to themselves while thinking and discussing language development.
What is the significance of creative thinking mentioned in the chapter?
The chapter will discuss the nature and process of creative thinking, including strategies for enhancing it.
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NCERT Class 11 Psychology — Introduction to Psychology — Chapter 7 — Thinking. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.