ch 10 txtbk Flashcards
cognition
internal mental processes including info processing, thinking, reasoning and problem solving
symbolic representation
representation that bears no resemblance to actual object
(e.g. language)
analogical representation
maintain some of the characteristics of the objects they represent
e.g. maps
mental image
referring to a representation of any sensory experience thats stored in memory and can be retrieved for use later
concepts
an organizing principle derived from experience
prototype
representation of a category formed by averaging all members of the category
exemplar
a specific member of a category used to represent the category
exemplar vs prototype
Compared to prototypes, exemplars provide a better way of thinking about the variability of a category
Averages, which characterize prototypes, do not provide much information about the range of features found in a category
problem
situation in which a current state is separated from an ideal state by obstacles
mental set
framework for thinking about a problem
functional fixedness
particular type of mental set that refers to a person’s tendency to think about an object in its most typical form and no others
algorithms
precise, step by step set of rules that will reliably generate a solution to a problem
heuristic
shortcut to problem solving; also known as rule of thumb
availability heuristic
rule of thumb in which the freq. of an event’s occurrence is predicted by the ease with which the event is brought to mind
representativeness heuristic
rule of thumb in which stimuli similar to a prototype are believed to be more likely than stimuli that are dissimilar to a prototype
-based on a persons appearance, ppl had assumptions on what their job should be based on stereotype
recognition heuristic
rule of thumb in which a higher value is placed on the more easily recognized alternative
affect heuristic
rule of thumb in which we choose between alternatives based on emotional or “gut” reactions to stimuli
language
system for communicating thoughts and feelings using arbitrary signals (voice sounds, gestures)
aphasia
the loss of the ability to speak or understand language
Broca’s aphasia
characterized by difficult producing speech
wernicke’s aphasia
affects comprehension
-speech is rapid and fluent but meaningless
intelligence
an individual’s ability to understand complex ideas, to adapt effectively to the environ, to learn from experience, to engage in various forms of reasoning and to overcome obstacles
psychometrics
Sir francis galton
-branch of psych concerned with the objective measurement of mental abilities and other attributes
eugenics
idea of selectively breeding humans in order to improve the species
Galton believed in this (heavily influenced by cousin Darwin)
intelligence quotient IQ
computed by dividing children’s mental age by their chronological age
general intelligence
a measure of an individual’s overall intelligence as opposed to specific abilities
fluid intelligence
ability to think logically without the need to use learned knowledge
crystallized intelligence
ability to think logically using specific learned knowledge