Chapter 7 - Cognition Flashcards
What is a “concept” in terms of thinking?
An abstract idea
or a mental category
by which similarities are grouped.
What are the 4 forms of productive thinking?
1) concept formation
2) problem-solving
3) decision-making
4) creative thinking
What is a prototype in terms of concept formation?
A prototype is usually the concept member that has the most features
in common with other concept members
and shares the fewest features with other concepts.
What is Rational Problem-solving?
It involves solving a problem in a systematic manner by 1st clarifying and understanding the problem setting objectives identifying alternatives analysing the alternatives selecting the best alternatives implementing them and then reflecting back
What are the 4 problem-solving strategies?
1) Trial-and-error (time consuming)
2) Algorithms (will produce solution sooner or later)
3) Heuristic (previously used solution)
4) Analogy (solution to an earlier problem)
What are the 2 barriers to Problem-solving?
Mental set - fixed way of thinking eg. certain jobs can only be done by men
Functional fixedness - not able to think out of the box eg. If cell manufacturers only believed cells are for calls we would not be able to use it as cameras.
Heuristics are previously used solutions to problems that worked. There are 3 different heuristics that can influence decision making. What are they?
1) Anchoring and Adjustment - these involve making an estimate
Eg. manager might rely on his own experience to handle conflict but as he gains more info he may adjust his handling
2) Availability - estimate frequency or probability
Eg. Which insurance to choose - possibly pick one with most aggressive advertising
3) Representative - based on how much 1 event resembles another.
Using Heuristics has its limitations. Name 5 typical errors which may result from their use.
1) OVER-RELIANCE the achor
2) OVERESTIMATING the improbable
3) CONFIRMATION bias - ignoring info questioning decision
4) FRAMING not viewing from diff angles
5) ESCALATION of commitment - holding on to bad decision
What is Volition?
Use of willpower
What can Volition act as?
An executive control over the making of a decision
What is another word for Cognitive Control?
Volition
There are 3 constraining factors depleting mental resources and limit cognitive control when economic decisions are made. What are they?
1) Scarcity - when item is scarce (money) it is focussed on causing stress and anxiety
2) Temptation - ongoing demand depletes cognitive control
3) Difficult trade-offs
Impulse control is associated with?
Emotional intelligence
What is creativity?
The ability to produce work that is novel (original, unusual and unexpected) and appropriate (useful)
Guilford developed a measure of creativity based on the distinction of 2 thinkings. What are they?
CONVERGENT thinking - applies existing knowledge, logic
DIVERGENT thinking - moves outward from conventional thinking into unexplored paths
What are the 5 characteristics of creative people?
1) creative people can access both primary processes (eg dreaming) and secondary processes (eg logic thinking).
2) creative people can pay attention to more things at the same time
3) creative people are better at making lateral associations
4) creative people show different physiological reactions
5) seems to have right-hemisphere dominance
What are the 4 steps in the creative process?
Preparation
Incubation
Inspiration / illumination
Verification / elaboration
Damage to which part of the brain is related to impairment of language and speech?
Broca area - frontal cortex
as well as
Wernicke’s area - temporal cortex
Language is leaned through?
Reinforcement
What is Syntax in relation to psycholinguistics?
Rules governing the combination of words into sentences
In terms of psycholinguistics what is Semamtics?
Meaning of words and sentences