The Development of Fast and Slow Thinking of Adolescents and Adults

Abstract

The objective of the current research is to identify fast-slow thinking of adolescents and adults, and to identify the significance of the differences in fast-slow thinking of adolescents and adults according to the age variable (14-15, 16-17, 18-19, 20-22, 21-25, 24-23, and 24-25) years, and according to the gender variable. The research sample consisted of 180 adolescents and adults. Moreover, a scale specified for measuring slow and fast thinking, which included thirty items, was prepared to achieve the research objectives. The face validity and stability of the research tool were verified, as the Pearson correlation coefficient reached 0.81. The reliability coefficient reached 0.76 which was calculated by making use of the internal consistency method according to the Cronbach Alpha equation. The study found that the age groups 14-15 years, 16-17 years, and 18-19 years were characterized by a fast-thinking style. Furthermore, adults in the age groups 20-21 years, 22-23 years, and 24-25 years have a slow thinking. Slow thinking takes a developmental path across the ages 14-15 years, 16-17 years, 18-19 years, 20-21 years, 22-23 years, and 24-25 years and a continuous form, which is consistent with cognitive evolutionary theories. There was no effect of gender (male-female) or interaction between age and gender on fast-slow thinking.