Chapter 8 : Thinking, Language, and Intelligence Flashcards
These answers may not be 100% correct they are to help me study for an upcoming test, and these are the answers to which I think.
What are concepts? Why are they necessary?
Concepts are mental groupings of similar objects, events, ideas, or people. Concepts simplify our thinking, it gives us much information with little mental effort.
What is a strength and weakness of heuristic thinking?
One strength of heuristic thinking is that it’s a mental shortcut, gives us a fast and sometimes correct. One weakness is that its prone to have errors.
Tests such as the ACT and the GRE require convergent thinking. What is convergent thinking? How does it differ from divergent thinking?
Convergent thinking is the process of figuring out a concrete solution to a problem. It differs from divergent thinking because it uses the process to explore multiple possible solutions to generate a creative idea. In divergent thinking, it opens up the mind more while in convergent thinking it’s just a straightforward process.
How does convergent and divergent thinking relate to creativity?
Divergent thinking relates to creativity because it solves problems with many possible solutions. Divergent see’s both sides rather than just one. As to convergent thinking which only finds one, single answer.
In terms of intelligence testing, what is validity? What is reliability?
Validity is how well a test measures what it is supposed to measure. Reliability is the consistency of a measure. A test is considered reliable when we get the same results repeatedly.
Can a psychological test be valid, but not reliable? Explain why/why not.
No, because a test can be reliable without being valid, but it cannot be valid unless it is reliable. So if the test is valid it must be reliable.
List and describe at least two of Gardner’s eight intelligences.
Mathematical - logical is learning through reasoning and problem solving or numbers. Musical is learning through songs, patterns, rhythms, instruments, and musical expression.
Why is it important that an intelligence test is standardized?
It is important they are standardized so that it makes the testing equal to everyone, to make sure that everyone is being tested on the same things. It is also important that they be standardized because the overall level of intelligence may change over time.
How does aging affect crystallized and fluid intelligence?
Fluid intelligence begins to decrease after adolescence. Crystallized intelligence continues to increase throughout adulthood.
