Chapter 7&8: Textbook Readings Flashcards
Mental Images def, ex, we often rely on these to accomplish ___ ex, ex of another sense used
a mental representation of objects or events that are not physically present.
Ex: creates a mental image of a drawing before sketching it out with his eyes? When we’re creating something new or encountering new information, we often develop mental images.
often rely on mental images to accomplish some cognitive task
Ex: try reciting the letters of the alphabet that consist of only curved lines. To accomplish this task, you have to mentally visualize and then inspect an image of each letter of the alphabet.
Typically, the term mental images refers to visual “pictures.” However, people can also form mental representations that involve senses other than vision
Ex: you can probably easily create a mental representation for the taste of a chocolate milkshake, the smell of freshly popped popcorn, or the feel of cold, wet clothing sticking to your skin. Sometimes thinking involves the manipulation of mental images.
Concepts def, what does it provide
mental category of objects or ideas based on properties they share.
Concepts provide a kind of mental shorthand, economizing the cognitive effort required for thinking and communicating.
Decision-Making Strategies: Single-Feature Model def, good for major or minor decisions?, ex and issue
In order to simplify the choice among many alternatives, you base your decision on a single feature.
When the decision is a minor one, the single-feature model can be a good decision-making strategy. For example, faced with an entire supermarket aisle of laundry detergents, you could simplify your decision by deciding to buy the cheapest brand. When a decision is important or complex, however, making decisions on the basis of a single feature can increase the riskiness of the decision.
Decision-Making Strategies: Additive Model def, ex,
A better strategy for complex decisions is to systematically evaluate the important features of each alternative.
In this model, you first generate a list of the factors that are most important to you. For example, suppose you need off-campus housing. Your list of important factors might include cost, proximity to campus, compatibility with roommates, or having a private bathroom. Then, you rate each alternative for each factor using an arbitrary scale, such as from 1 to 10. If a particular factor has strong advantages or appeal, such as compatible roommates, you give it the maximum rating (10). If a particular factor has strong disadvantages, such as distance from campus, you give it the minimum rating (1). Finally, you add up the ratings for each alternative. This strategy can often reveal the best overall choice. If the decision involves a situation in which some factors are more important than others, you can emphasize the more important factors by multiplying their ratings.
Decision-Making Strategies: Elimination-By-Aspects def, ex
you evaluate all the alternatives one characteristic at a time, typically starting with the feature you consider most important.
For example, suppose you want to buy a new laptop. You might initially eliminate all the models that aren’t powerful enough to run the software you need to use, then the models outside your budget, and so forth. Continuing in this fashion, you would progressively narrow down the range of possible choices to the one choice that satisfies all your criteria.
Gardner’s multiple intelligences
described?
intelligence as different mental abilities that operate independently, instead of as one general intelligence that can be measured as a single score.
Sternbergs’ Triarchic Model
Robert Sternberg’s theory that there are three distinct forms of intelligence: analytic, creative, and practical.
Stereotype Threat
A psychological predicament in which fear that you will be evaluated in terms of a negative stereotype about a group to which you belong creates anxiety and self-doubt, lowering performance.
MOTIVATION THEORIES: Instinct Theory
the view that certain human behaviors are innate and due to evolutionary programming.
MOTIVATION THEORIES: Drive Theory
the view that behavior is motivated by the desire to reduce internal tension caused by unmet biological needs.
MOTIVATION THEORIES: Incentive Theory
the view that behavior is motivated by the pull of external goals, such as rewards.
Arousal Theory
the view that people are motivated to maintain a level of arousal that is optimal — neither too high nor too low.
Humanistic Theory
the view that emphasizes the importance of psychological and cognitive factors in motivation, especially the notion that people are motivated to realize their personal potential.
Self-Determination TheorY
Deci and Ryan’s theory that optimal human functioning can occur only if the psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are satisfied.
Functions of Emotion: emotional intelligence
relies on
the capacity to understand and manage your own emotional experiences, as well as to perceive, understand, and respond appropriately to the emotional responses of others (by regulating your own behavior).
