Thinking
This domain tests the building blocks of thought: concepts, problem solving, reasoning, decision making and creativity.
Problem solving
An algorithm is a guaranteed procedure, but often slow. A heuristic is a fast rule of thumb that can err. Means–end analysis reduces the gap between current and goal states; analogy transfers a solution from a similar problem. Obstacles include mental set (fixation on a previously successful method), functional fixedness (seeing objects only in their usual role) and confirmation bias.
Reasoning and decision making
Deductive reasoning moves from general premises to a necessary conclusion; inductive reasoning generalises from specific observations and is probabilistic. Decision making is affected by framing, availability and representativeness heuristics.
Creative thinking
Creativity involves divergent thinking (many ideas; fluency, flexibility, originality) and convergent thinking (one best answer). It is not identical to intelligence, though they correlate.
Worked example
A person cannot solve the candle-and-box problem because she sees the box only as a container, not as a platform. That is functional fixedness. Recognising the box's alternative use removes the block.
Traps
Algorithms are not heuristics. Deductive conclusions are certain only if premises are true; inductive conclusions are probabilistic. Mental set is not the same as functional fixedness. Creativity is not simply high IQ.