Chapter 8 Psychology 175.102

Question 0

Mental images

Answer 0

Visual representations such as the image of the street or a circle

Question 1

Thinking

Answer 1

Manipulating mental representations for a purpose

Question 2

Mental models

Answer 2

Representations that describe, explain or predict the way things work

Question 3

Categories

Answer 3

Groupings based on common properties

Question 4

Concept

Answer 4

A mental representation of a category

Question 5

Defining features

Answer 5

Qualities that are necessary in order to classify the object is a member of the category

Question 6

Well defined concepts

Answer 6

Having properties that clearly set him apart from other concepts

Question 7

Prototype

Answer 7

An abstraction across many instances of a category

Question 8

Basic level of categorisation

Answer 8

The broadest, most inclusive level at which objects share common attributes that are distinctive of the concept

Question 9

Subordinate level of categorisation

Answer 9

The level of categorisation below the basic level in which more specific attributes are shared by members of a category.

Question 10

Superordinate level of categorisation

Answer 10

An abstract level in which members of a category share few common features

Question 11

Reasoning

Answer 11

The process by which people generate and evaluate arguments and beliefs, typically to try to solve problems

Question 12

Inductive reasoning

Answer 12

Reasoning from specific observations to more general propositions

Question 13

Deductive reasoning

Answer 13

Logical reasoning that draws a conclusion from a set of assumptions or premises that are based on the rules of logic

Question 14

Syllogism

Answer 14

Consists of two premises that lead to a logical conclusion

Question 15

Analogical reason

Answer 15

The process by which people understand a novel situation in terms of a familiar one

Question 16

Problem solving

Answer 16

The process of transforming one situation into another to meet a goal.
eg. Initial unsatisfactory state to problem resolved (goal state)

Question 17

Subgoals

Answer 17

Mini goals on the way to achieving the broader goal

Question 18

Problem-solving strategies

Answer 18

Techniques that serves as guides for solving a problem

Question 19

Algorithms

Answer 19

Systematic procedures that inevitably produce a solution to a problem

Question 20

Mental simulation

Answer 20

Imagining the steps involved in solving a problem mentally before actually undertaking them

Question 21

Functional fixedness

Answer 21

The tendency for people to ignore other possible functions of an object when they have fixed function in mind

Question 22

Mental set

Answer 22

The tendency to keep using the same problem solving techniques that have worked in the past

Question 23

Confirmation bias

Answer 23

The tendency for people to search for confirmation of what they already believe

Question 24

Decision-making

Answer 24

The process by which an individual weighs the pros and cons of different alternatives in order to make a choice

Question 25

Weighted utility value

Answer 25

Indicates not just how well an option meet certain criteria, but how important that criteria is to making the decision

Question 26

Expected utility

Answer 26

A combined judgement of the weighted utility and the expected probability of obtaining that outcome

Question 27

Heuristics

Answer 27

Cognitive shortcuts for selecting among alternatives without carefully considering each one

Question 28

Representativeness heuristic

Answer 28

In which people categorise by matching the similarity of an object or incident to a prototype but ignore information about its probability of occurring

Question 29

Availability heuristic

Answer 29

In which people infer the frequency of something on the basis of how readily it comes to mind

Question 30

Bounded rationality

Answer 30

People are rational within the bounds imposed by their environment, goals and abilities

Question 31

Explicit cognition

Answer 31

Involves conscious manipulation of representations

Question 32

Implicit cognition

Answer 32

Cognition outside of awareness

Question 33

Language

Answer 33

The system of symbols, sounds, meanings and rules for their combination that constitutes the primary mode of communication among humans

Question 34

Whorfian hypothesis of linguistic relativity

Answer 34

The idea that language shapes thought

Question 35

Phonemes

Answer 35

The smallest units of sound that constitutes speech, these are strung together to create meaningful utterances

Question 36

Morphemes

Answer 36

The smallest units of meaning in language

Question 37

Phrases

Answer 37

Groups of words that act as a unit to convey a meaning

Question 38

Sentences

Answer 38

Words and phrases are combined into sentences, organised sequences of words that express a thought or intention

Question 39

Syntax

Answer 39

The rules that govern the placement of words and phrases in a sentence

Question 40

Semantics

Answer 40

The rules that govern the meanings of morphemes, words, phrases and sentences

Question 41

Pragmatics of language

Answer 41

The way language is used and understood in everyday life

Question 42

Discourse

Answer 42

The way people ordinarily speak, hear, read and write interconnected sentences

Question 43

Non-verbal communication

Answer 43

Body language, gestures, touch, physical distance, facial expressions and non-verbal vocalisations

Question 44

Universal grammar

Answer 44

An innate, shared set of linguistic principles. Proposed by Chomsky

Question 45

Language acquisition device (LAD)

Answer 45

Chomsky proposed that humans are born with an innate set of neural structures for acquiring language.

Question 46

Babbling

Answer 46

The baby’s first recognisable speech sounds

Question 47

Telegraphic speech

Answer 47

Utterances composed of only the most essential words for meaning