Vocal Ch 8 Flashcards
cognition
the mental activity that includes thinking and the understandings that result from thinking.
thinking
the mental manipulation of representations of knowledge about the world.
analogical representations
mental representations that have some of the physical characteristics of objects; they are analogous to the objects. Like a picture of a violin to represent violin.
symbolic representations
Abstract mental representations that of not correspond to the physical features of objects or ideas. Like a picture of the word violin to represent a violin.
concept
a category, or class, of related items; it consists of mental representations of those items.
prototype model.
A way of thinking about concepts: within each category, there is a best example- a prototype- for that category.
exemplar model
a way of thinking about concepts: all members of a category are examples (exemplars) together they form the concept and determine category membership.
stereotypes
cognitive schemas that allow for easy, fast processing of information about people based on their membership in certain groups.
script
a schema that directs behavior over time within a situation.
decision making
attempting to select the best alternative from among several options.
problem solving
finding a way around an obstacle to reach a goal.
heuristics
shortcuts (rules of thumb or informal guidelines) used to reduce the amount of thinking that is needed to make a decision.
anchoring
The tendency, in making judgements, to rely on the first piece of information encountered or information that comes most quickly to mind.
framing
in decision making, the tendency to emphasize the potential losses or potential gains from at least one alternative.
availability heuristic
making a decision based on the answer that comes most easily to mind
representativeness heuristic
placing a person or an object in a category if that person or object is similar to ones prototype for that category.
somatic markers
bodily reactions that arise from the emotional evaluation of an action’s consequences.
affective forecasting
the tendency for people to overestimate how events will make them feel in the future
restructuring
a new way of thinking about a problem that aids its solution.
mental sets
problem-solving strategies that have worked in the past.
functional fixedness
in problem solving, having fixed ideas about the typical functions of objects`
insight
the sudden realization of a solution to a problem.
language
a system of communication using sounds and symbols according to grammatical rules
morphemes
the smaller language units that have meaning, including suffixes and prefixes.
phonemes
the basic sounds of speech, the building blocks of language.
aphasia
a language disorder that results in deficits in language comprehension and production.
Wernicke’s area
an area of the left hemisphere where the temporal and parietal lobes meet, involved in speech comprehension.
(brocas area is important for speech production)
linguistic relativity theory
the claim that language determines thought.
telegraphic speech
the tendency for toddlers to speak using rudimentary sentences that are missing words and grammatical markings but follow a logical syntax and convey a wealth of meaning.
surface structure
the language, the sound, and order of words.
deep structure
In language, the implicit meanings of sentences.
phonics
A method of teaching reading in english that focuses on the association between letters and their phonemes. Classroom and laboratory research has consistently found that phonics is superior to whole language in creating proficient readers.
whole language
A method of teaching reading in english that emphasizes learning the meanings of words and understanding how words are connected in sentences. Classroom and laboratory research has consistently found that phonics is superior to whole language in creating proficient readers.
intelligence
the ability to use knowledge to reason, make decisions, make sense of events, solve problems, understand complex ideas, learn quickly, and adapt to environmental challenges.
mental age
an assessment of a child’s intellectual standing compares with that of same-age peers; determined by comparing the child’s test score with with the average score for children of each chronological age.
Intelligence quotient ( IQ)
An index of intelligence computed by dividing a child’s estimated mental age by the child’s chronological age and then multiplying this number by 100
General intelligence
The idea that one general factor underlies intelligence
Crystallized intelligence
Intelligence that reflects both the knowledge acquired through experience and the ability to use that knowledge.
Fluid intelligence
Intelligence that reflects the ability to process information, understand relationships, and think logically m, particularly in novel or complex circumstances
Emotional intelligence (EI)
A form of social intelligence that emphasizes the abilities to manage, recognize, and understand emotions and use emotions to guide appropriate thought and action.
Stereotype threat
Apprehension about confirming negative stereotypes related to one’s own group.
