Module 2.2B Flashcards
Solving Problems and Making Decisions
Executive Functions
Cognitive Skills that work together, enabling us to generate, organize, plan, and implement goal directed behavior.
Algorithm
A methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem. Contrasts with the usally speedier- ut also more error prone- use of heuristics.
Heuristic
A simple thinking strategy- a mental shortcut- that often allows us to make judgements and solve problems efficiently; usually speedier but also more error prone than an algorithm.
Insight
A suddent realization of a problem’s solution; contrasts with strategy-based solutions.
Confirmation Bias
A tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore r distort contradictory evidence.
Fixation
In cognition, the inability to see a problem from a new perspective; an obstacle to problem solving.
Mental Set
A tendency to approach a problem in one particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past.
Intuition
An effortless, imemdiate, automatic feeling or thought, as contrasted with explicit, conscious reasoning.
Representativness Heuristic
Judging the likelihood of events in term sof how well they seem to represent, or match, particular prototypes; may lead us to ignore other relevant information.
Availability Heuristic
Judging the likelihood of event sbased on their availabiluty in memory; if instances come ready to mind (perhaps becuase of their vividness), we presume such events are common.
Overconfidence
The tendency to be more confident than correct- to overestimate the accuracy of our beleifs and judgements,
Belief Perseverance
The persistance of one’s initial conceptions even after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited.
Framing
The way an issue is posed; how an issue is framed can significantly affect decisions and judgements.
Nudge
Framing choices in a way that encourage people to make beneifical decisions.
