Chapter 7 - Thinking and Intelligence Flashcards
cognition
- is thinking
- encompasses the processes associated with perception, knowledge, problem solving, judgment, language, and memory.
- ex. planning out your day
cognitive psychology
the field of psychology dedicated to examining how and why people think
concepts
- big ideas that are generated by observing details, categorizing, combining these details into cognitive structures
- used to see relationships/organize information
prototype
- the best example or representation of a concept
- ex. golden retriever being the first thing you think of with dogs
natural concepts
- created “naturally” through your experiences and can be developed from either direct or indirect experiences
- ex. knowing snow from seeing it
artificial concept
- a concept that is defined by a specific set of characteristics
- ex. triangles have three sides
- often build off one another, used in complex thinking
schema
- a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concept
- a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work efficiently
role schema
- makes assumptions about how individuals in certain roles will behave
- can make you assume wrong thing
- ex. military people are strict
event schema/cognitive script
- a set of behaviors that can feel like a routine
- ex. how you behave in an elevator
language
- a communication system that involves organizing words and systematic rules to communicate from one individual to another
- not the only way to communicate (posture, tone, etc.)
lexicon
the words/vocabulary of a given language
grammar
the set of rules that are used to convey meaning through the use of the lexicon
phoneme
- a basic sound unit of a given language
- different languages have different sets of phonemes
- ex. “ah” vs. “eh”
morphemes
- the smallest units of language that convey some type of meaning (made up of phoneme
- ex. “I” is a morphemes and phoneme
semantics
the process by which we derive meaning from morphemes and words
syntax
the way words are organized into sentences
overgeneralization
- a grammar rule is being applied to the exceptions to the rules of a language
- the rules of the language are understood, even if the exceptions to the rules are still being learned
problem-solving strategy
a plan of action used to find a solution
trial and error
- you would continue to try different solutions until you solved your problem
- not most efficient but commonly used
algorithm
- a problem-solving formula that provides you with step-by-step instructions used to get the same results every time they’re used
heuristic
-a general problem-solving framework
- mental shortcuts that are used to solve problems
- saves time, but not always best method
working backwards
- a useful heuristic in which you begin solving the problem by focusing on the end result
- ex. when to leave home to get to an event
mental set
- where you persist in approaching a problem in a way that has worked in the past but is clearly not working now
- could be easy solution but aren’t thinking differently
functional fixedness
a type of mental set where you cannot perceive an object being used for something other than what it was designed for
anchoring bias
when you focus on one piece of information when making a decision or solving a problem
confirmation bias
- the tendency to focus on information that confirms your existing beliefs
- ex. grandma w/Fox News
hindsight bias
leads you to believe that the event you just experienced was predictable, even though it really wasn’t
representative bias
a faulty way of thinking, in which you unintentionally stereotype someone or something
availability heuristic
a heuristic in which you make a decision based on an example that is accessible to you, even though it may not be the best example to inform your decision
crystalized intelligence
- acquired knowledge and the ability to retrieve it
- helps you overcome concrete, straightforward problems
fluid intelligence
- the ability to see complex relationships and solve problems
- intelligence helps you tackle complex, abstract challenges
triarchic theory of intelligence
sees intelligence as comprised of three parts practical (street smarts), creative, and analytical intelligence
practical intelligence
- you find solutions that work in your everyday life by applying knowledge based on your experiences
- sometimes compared to “street smarts”
creative intelligence
- marked by inventing or imagining a solution to a problem
- include finding a novel solution to an unexpected problem or producing a beautiful work of art
multiple intelligences theory
- theory that each person possesses at least eight intelligences
- highly criticized for not having empirical evidence
emotional intelligence
ability to understand the emotions of yourself/others, show empathy, understand social relationships/cues, regulate emotions ,and respond in culturally appropriate ways
cultural intelligence
how well you relate to the values of your/that culture
creativity
the ability to generate, create, or discover new ideas, solutions, and possibilities
divergent thinking
- thinking “outside the box”
- allows an individual to arrive at unique, multiple solutions to a problem
convergent thinking
the ability to provide a correct or well-established answer/solution to a problem
intelligence quotient (IQ)
- describes a score earned on a test designed to measure intelligence
- has its limitation and can be controversial
standardization
the manner of administration, scoring, and interpretation of results is consistent
norming
- involves giving a test to a large population so data can be collected to compare groups, such as age groups
- used to figure out what a group does know, not should
Flynn effect
- the observation that each generation has a significantly higher IQ than the last
- increased IQ scores do not necessarily mean younger gens. are more intelligent
representative sample
a subset of the population that accurately represents the general population
standard deviations
- how data are dispersed in a population and give context to large data sets
range of reaction
the theory that each person responds to the environment in a unique way based on their genetic makeup
dysgraphia
a learning disability that results in a struggle to write legibly/put their thoughts on paper
dyslexia
- an inability to correctly process letters
- may have difficulty spelling words correctly while writing, mix up words/sentences
dyscalculia
difficulty in learning or comprehending arithmetic
linguistic determinism
idea that language may indeed influence the way that we think
analytical intelligence
- closely aligned with academic problem solving and computations
- demonstrated by an ability to analyze, evaluate, judge, compare, and contrast
learning disabilities
cognitive disorders that affect different areas of cognition, particularly language or reading
what effects intelligence
research suggest that genetic help determine level of intelligence, but environment can trigger different parts of cognitive skills
