Mod 27 - Thinking

Question 1

what is cognition?

Answer 1

mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, memory, communication

Question 2

what do cognitive psychologists study

Answer 2

1. concept formation
2. problem solving
3. decision making
4. judgement formation

Question 3

What is a concept?

Answer 3

a mental grouping of similar things

Question 4

define prototype

Answer 4

mental image/exemplary element of a category, brain tries to match new items to prototype for quick and easy categorization

ex. comparing an object with 3 sides with a triangle

Question 5

define algorithm

Answer 5

a methodical/logical rule/instructions, GUARANTEES solving a type of problem, though takes a lot of effort (ex. multiplication)

Question 6

heuristic

Answer 6

a basic thinking strategy allowing judgements and problem solving more efficiently

Question 7

insight

Answer 7

sudden realization of a soluton contrasting strategy-based solutions

Question 8

what are the 2 obstacles to problem solving?

Answer 8

1. confirmation bias (search for info that confirms original beliefs)
2. fixation (unable to see from new perspective) (ex. functional fixedness)

Question 9

mental set

Answer 9

tendency to approach a problem in a way, usually if it succeeded in the past (but doesn’t guarantee future solution)

Question 10

functional fixedness

Answer 10

tendency to think of things in only usual functions (fixation) (matchbox problem)

Question 11

representative heuristic

Answer 11

judging likelihood of things based on how well they match prototypes, often leading to ignoring other info (ex. thinking raggedy man is poor)

Question 12

Availability Heuristic

Answer 12

likelihood of events based on MEMORY AVAILABILITY, especially if instances come readily to mind (more traumatic, thus higher memory = belief of higher likelihood)

Question 13

Overconfidence

Answer 13

overconfidence

Question 14

belief bias

Answer 14

preexisting beliefs = distorts logic, make invalid seem valid or valid seem invalid

Question 15

Creativity

Answer 15

production of novel/valuable ideas like:
1. expertise
2. imaginative thinking skills
3. venturesome personality
4. intrinsic motivation
5. creative environment

Question 16

framing

Answer 16

way question is posed affects decision/judgement

Question 17

artificial intelligence

Answer 17

designing/programming comp systems to do intelligent things and simulate human thought
1. intuitive reasoning
2. learning
3. understanding languagr

Question 18

belief perserverance

Answer 18

clinging to initial conceptions after basis is proven WRONG

Question 19

true/false and why: the wrong answer is just as important as the right one

Answer 19

true, it reveals your thought process

Question 20

true/false: people’s thinking is different and creativity can exist in multiple different ways

Answer 20

true

Question 21

algorithm vs. heuristic

Answer 21

algorithm - step by step, methodical process

heuristic - almost a rule of thumb, shortcuts requiring far less mental effort