psy ch 7,8,9 quiz

algorithm

a systematic procedure for solving a problem that works invariably when it is correctly applied

analogy

a comparison between two things that appear to be similar, as in thinking that what worked in one situation may work in a similar situation or kind of problem

anchoring and adjustment heuristic

a decision-making heuristic in which a presumption or first estimate serves as a cognitive anchor; as we receive additional information, we make adjustments but tend to remain in the proximity of the anchor

availability heuristic

a decision-making heuristic in which our estimates of frequency or probability of events are based on how easy it is to find examples

cognition

mental activity involved in understanding, processing, and communicating information

concept

a mental category that is used to class together objects, events, abstractions, ideas, or qualities that have common properties

convergent thinking

a thought process that narrows in on the single best solution to a problem

creativity

the ability to generate novel and useful situations to problems

displacement

the quality of language that permits one to communicate information about objects and events in another time and place

divergent thinking

a thought process that attempts to generate multiple solutions to problems

exemplar

a specific example

framing effect

the influence of wording, or the context in which information is presented, on decision making

functional fixedness

the tendency to view an object in terms of its name or familiar usage

g

Spearman’s symbol for general intelligence, which he believed underlay more specific abilities

heritability

the degree to which the variations in a trait from one person to another can be attributed to, or explained by, genetic factors

heuristics

rules of thumb that help us simplify and solve problems

holophrase

a single word used to express complex meanings

incubation

in problem solving, a process that may sometimes occur when we stand back from a frustrating problem for a while and the solution “suddenly” appears

infinite creativity

the capacity to combine words into original sentences

insight

in Gestalt psychology, a sudden perception of relationships among elements of the mentally represented elements of a problem that permits its solution

intelligence

a general mental capability that involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience

intelligence quotient (IQ)

(1) originally, a ratio obtained by dividing a child’s score (or mental age) on an intelligence test by chronological age and (2) generally, a score on an intelligence test that is based on how well one performs as compared with one’s age mates

language

the communication of information by means of symbols arranged according to rules of grammar

language acquisition device (LAD)

in psycholinguistic theory, neural “prewiring” that facilitates the child’s learning of grammar

linguistic-relativity hypothesis

the view that language structures the way we view the world

means-end analysis

a heuristic device in which we try to solve a problem by evaluating the difference between the current situation and goal

mental age (MA)

the accumulated months of credit that a person earns on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

mental set

the tendency to respond to a new problem with an approach that was successfully used with similar problems

motivated reasoning

making decisions and judgments on the basis of emotion rather than careful evaluation of all the available evidence

overregularization

the application of regular grammatical rules for forming inflections (e.g. past tense and plurals) to irregular verbs and nouns

primary mental abilities

according to thurstone, the basic abilities that make up intelligence examples include word fluency and numerical ability

prototype

a concept of a category of objects or events that serves as a good example of the category

psycholinguistic theory

the view that language learning involves an interaction between environmental factors and an inborn tendency to acquire language

representativeness heuristic

a decision-making heuristic in which people make judgments about samples according to the populations they appear to represent

s

spearman’s symbol for specific factors, or s factors, which he believed accounted for individual abiliteis

semanticity

the quality of language in which words are used as symbols for objects, events, and ideas

systematic random search

an algorithm for solving problems in which each possible solution is tested according to a particular set of rules

thinking

paying attention to information, mentally representing it, reasoning about it, and making decisions about it

activating effects

the arousal-producing effects of sex hormones that increase the likelihood of sexual behavior

anorexia nervosa

a life-threatening eating disorder characterized by dramatic weight loss and a distorted body image

aphagic

characterized by undereating

bulimia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by repeated cycles of binge eating and purging

drive

a condition of arousal in an organism that is associated with a need

drive-reduction theory

the view that organisms learn to engage in behaviors that have the effect of reducing drives

emotion

a state of feeling that has cognitive, physiological, and behavior component

facial-feedback hypothesis

the view that stereotypical facial expressions can contribute to stereotypical emotions

female athlete triad

a problem affecting female athletes, especially in college, involving (1) low energy (2) menstrual problems, and (3) loss of bone density

hierarchy of needs

Maslow’s ordering of needs from most basic (physiologicfal needs such as hunger and thirst) to most elaborate and sophisticated (self-actualization)

homeostasis

the tendency of the body to maintain a steady state

hyperphagic

characterized by excessive eating

incentive

an object, person, or situation perceived as capable of satisfying a need or as desirable for its own sake

instinct

involving an inherited disposition to activate specific behavior patterns that enable an organism to reach specific goals

lateral hypothalamus

an area at the side of the hypothalamus that appears to function as a start-eating center

motivation

the state in which an organism experiences an inducement or incentive to do something

motive

a hypothetical state within an organism that propels the organism toward a goal

myotonia

muscle tension

need

a state of deprivation

parasympathetic nervous system

the branch of the autonomic nervous system that is most active during processes that restore reserves of energy to the body, such as relaxing and eating

positive psychology

the field of psychology that is about personal well-being and satisfaction; joy, sensual pleasure, and happiness; and optimism and hope for the future

satiety

the state of being satisfied; fullness

self-actualization

according to Maslow and other humanistic psychologists, self-initiated striving to become what one is capable of being

sympathetic nervous system

the branch of the autonomic nervous system that is most active during processes that spend body energy from stored reserves, such as in a fight-or-flight reaction to a predator or hwen you are anxious about a big test

vasocongestion

engorgement of blood vessels with blood, which swells the genitals and breasts during sexual arousal

ventromedial nucleus (VMN)

a central area on the underside of the hypothalamus that appears to function as a stop-eating center

accommodation

according to Piaget, the modification of schemas so that information inconsistent with existing schemas can be integrated or understood

adolescence

the period of life bounded by puberty and the assumption of adult responsibilities

alzheimer’s disease

a progressive form of mental deterioration characterized by loss of memory, language, problem solving, and other cognitive functions

assimilation

according to piaget, the inclusion of a new event into an existing schema

attachment

the enduring affectional tie that binds one person to another

authoritarian parents

parents who are rigid in their rules and who demand obedience for the sake of obedience

authoritative parents

parents who are strict and warm; authoritative parent demand mature behavior but use reason rather than force in disciplne

concrete operational stage

piaget’s third stage, characterized by logical thought concerning tangible objects, conservation, and subjective morality

conservation

according to piaget, recognition that basic properties of substances such as weight and mass remain the same when superficial features change

convention level

according to kohlberg, a period during which moral judgments largely reflect social conventions; a “law and order” approach to morality

critical period

a period of time when an instinctive response can be elicited by a particular stimulus

crystallized intellgence

one’s lifetime of intellectual achievement, as shown largely through vocabulary and knowledge of world affairs

decentration

simultaneous focusing on more than one dimension of a problem, so that flexible, reversible thought becomes possible

ego identity

erikson’s term for a firm sense of who one is and what one stands for

egocentrism

according to piaget, the assumption that others view the world as one does oneself

emerging adulthood

period of development, roughly spanning the ages of 18-25, during which time many young people in affluent nations attend college and graduate school, sort out identity issues, and create life plas

empty-nest syndrome

a sense of depression and loss of purpose felt by some parents when the youngest child leaves home

fixation time

the amount of time spent looking at a visual stimulus

fluid intelligence

mental flexibility as shown in learning rapidly to solve new kinds of problems

formal operational stage

piaget’s fourth stage, characterized by abstract logical thought and deduction from principles

imaginary audience

an aspect of adolescent egocentrism; the belief that other people are as concerned with our thoughts and behaviors as we are

object permanence

recognition that objects removed from sight still exist, as demonstrated in young children by continued pursuit

perceptual speed

the speed with which one can compare figures and symbols

permissive parents

parents who impose few, if any, rules and do not supervise their children closely

personal fable

another aspect of adolescent egocentrism; the belief that our feelings and ideas are special and unique and that we are invulnerable

placenta

a membrane that permits the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the mother and her developing child but does not allow the maternal and fetal bloodstreams to mix

postconventional level

according to kohlberg, a period during which moral judgments are derived from moral principles and people look to themselves to set moral standards

preconventional level

according to kohlberg, evaluating importance of individual needs and personal conscience in regard to maintenance of the social order

preoperational stage

the second of piaget’s stages, characterized by illogical use of words and symbols, spotty logic, and egocentrism

puberty

the period of physical development during which sexual reproduction first becomes possible

reflex

a simple inborn response to a stimulus

role diffusion

erikson’s term for lack of clarity in one’s life roles (due to failure to develop ego identity)

rooting

the turning of an infant’s head toward a touch, such as by the mother’s nipple

sandwich generation

people in middle adulthood who are responsible for meeting the needs of their children yet also responsible for aging parents

schema

according to piaget, a hypothetical mental structure that permits the classification and organization of new information