7 Cognition and Language

Question 1

Cognition

Answer 1

The processes whereby we acquire and use knowledge

Question 2

Language

Answer 2

A flexible system of communication that uses sounds, rules, gestures, or symbols to convey information

Question 3

Phonemes

Answer 3

The basic sound units of a language that indicate changes in meaning

Question 4

Morphemes

Answer 4

The smallest meaningful units of speech, such as simple words, prefixes and suffixes

Question 5

Grammar

Answer 5

The language rules that determine how sounds and words can be combined and used to communicate meaning within a language

Question 6

Syntax

Answer 6

The rules for arranging words into grammatical phrases and sentences

Question 7

Semantics

Answer 7

The criteria for assigning meaning to the morphemes in a language

Question 8

Surface structure

Answer 8

The particular words and phrases used to make up a sentence

Question 9

Deep structure

Answer 9

The underlying meaning of a sentence

Question 10

Image

Answer 10

A nonverbal mental representation of a sensory experience

Question 11

Concept

Answer 11

A mental category for classifying objects, people, or experiences

Question 12

Prototype

Answer 12

according to Rosch, mental model containing most typical features of concept

Question 13

Linguistic determinism

Answer 13

idea that patterns of thinking are determined by specific language one speaks

Question 14

Signs

Answer 14

stereotyped communications about an animal’s current state

Question 15

Telegraphic speech

Answer 15

early speech stage of one and two year olds that omits words that are not essential to the meaning of a phrase

Question 16

Problem representation

Answer 16

first step in solving a problem: defining problem

Question 17

Algorithm

Answer 17

step-by-step method of problem solving that guarantees correct solution

Question 18

Heuristics

Answer 18

rules of thumb that help in simplifying and solving problems, although they do not guarantee a correct solution

Question 19

Hill climbing

Answer 19

heuristic problem solving strategy in which each step moves you progressively closer to the final goal

Question 20

Subgoals

Answer 20

intermediate, more manageable goals used in one heuristic strategy to make i easier to reach final goal

Question 21

Means-end analysis

Answer 21

heuristic strategy that aims to reduce the discrepancy between current situation and desired goal at a number of intermediate points

Question 22

Working backward

Answer 22

heuristic strategy in which one works backward from desired goal to the given conditions

Question 23

mental set

Answer 23

tendency to perceive and approach problems in certain ways

Question 24

Functional fixedness

Answer 24

tendency to perceive only a limited number of uses for an object, thus interfering with the process of problem solving

Question 25

Brainstorming

Answer 25

problem-solving strategy in which an individual or group produces numerous ideas and evaluates them only after all ideas have been collective

Question 26

Compensatory model

Answer 26

rational decision-making model in which choices are systematically evaluated on various criteria

Question 27

Representativeness

Answer 27

heuristic by which a new situation is judged on the basis of its resemblance to a stereotypical model

Question 28

Availability

Answer 28

heuristic by which a judgement or decision is based on information that is most easily retrieved from memory

Question 29

Confirmation bias

Answer 29

tendency to look form evidence in support of a belief and to ignore evidence that would disprove a belief

Question 30

Framing

Answer 30

perspective or phrasing of information that is used to make a decision

Question 31

Hindsight bias

Answer 31

tendency to view outcomes as inevitable and predictable after we know the outcome

Question 32

counterfactual thinking

Answer 32

thinking about alternative realities and things that never happened