Chapter 8 Intelligence and Thought Flashcards
Describe the differences between concepts formed according to an exemplar model and a prototype model.
Prototype is when you look for a best example for that category; oranges or grapes for seeds/edible/sweet; Exemplar model proposed that any concept has no single best representation; all examples of category members that you have encountered form the concept
What is the difference between normative and descriptive decision theories?
Normative models view humans as optimal decision makers (choices yield the largest gain, often money).
Descriptive models try to account for human tendencies to misinterpret or misrepresent probabilities, and for irrational behavior.
What does it mean to say that we often fail at affective forecasting?
Affective forecasting is human’s ability to know how we will feel about something in the future. Humans tend to fail at this because we overestimate how much negative events will affect us. An example of it affecting positive events is winning a medal. Logically, it seems better to win a medal than no medal, but people are often disappointed when they place second. Failure to predict how you will feel.
What are the differences between satisficers and maximizers?
Satisficers choose options that satisfy their needs sufficiently; they don’t worry about if they chose the best option. Maximizers try to always make the best possible choice. A satisficer will choose any apple from a supermarket, but a maximizer will look at all apples and apple prices to find the best ones.
Describe the differences between fluid and crystallized intelligence.
G consists of two types of intelligences. Fluid intelligence involves processing info in new or complex circumstances (reasoning, analogies, flexible and quick thinking). Crystallized intelligence is knowledge gained from experience (ex. Vocab, culture).
What is the Flynn effect? What are possible explanations for this effect?
It is the rising of intelligence over the past century (IQ). Because genes cannot change this fast, the increase in average IQ scores must be due to environmental factors. Explanations include the increased education of every generation as well as the growing cognitive complexity of work and leisure activities.
What is stereotype threat? Give an example. How can you help students overcome stereotype threat?
The stereotype threat is fear that some people might experience if they believe that
their performances on tests might confirm negative stereotypes about their racial
Group. This fear and anxiety reduces short-term memory and reduces confidence and motivation during performance tests. An example is women doing poorer than men on math standardized tests when the women believe men are superior at that subject. Women who don’t hold that belief perform just as well as men at math. Informing people about the negative effects of stereotype threat can reduce the negative effects. Also, when exams are presentation as non evaluative, the effect of the stereotype threat is reversed.
What are the four index scores one gets from the current Wescher intelligence scale (IV)?
Verbal, Working Memory, Perceptual, Processing
Explain Spearman’s theory of “g” and how the development of factor analysis led him to this discovery.
Spearman’s theory of “g” (book smart and street smart) focuses on factor analysis. Say you are in a jungle and you see two bumps of which you aren’t sure what they are. You can find out if they are danger or not by watching for movement among the bumps. If both move at the same time, you can use factor analysis: if both move together, they point at me than you are actually measuring the same thing. One general factor underlies all types of skills and abilities which is a test of your “g”.
What types of real-life outcomes can be predicted by scores on traditional intelligence tests?
There is a sort of prediction validity which is a forecast of meaningful outcome in life, for example it can find your possible employment outcomes. Higher childhood scores predict less adulthood psych distress and +1sd associated with 51% decreased risk of death by homicide. You’re less likely to be injured and at a lower risk for all causes of mortality in adulthood.
Describe the non-traditional ways of testing intelligence that we discussed in class (perceptual speed, glucose, infants).What evidence seems to support the notion of multiple intelligences?
Perceptual speed is the ability to quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. In tests of perceptual speed the things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. Glucose is what body burns to complete tasks that require energy, and those who are more efficient or are trained burned less glucose. Tetris novices burn more glucose yet some people get really good over time because once they get trained they burn much less glucose.
Infants responses to novel stimuli when they pick up something different - > you know what infants know by where their eyes go, and what they pick up can predict their elementary school IQ.
Evidence that supports the notion of multiple intelligences are cases such as Savant syndrome where there are different levels of functioning. You can have an idiot savant whose intelligence overall is low, but there is an isolated area of genius. Brain damage affects some types of intelligence.
