Psychology 105: Readings

Cognitive Economy

The idea that our cognitive processes are designed to minimize mental effort and maximize efficiency in processing information.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts used to increase our thinking efficiency.

Thin Slicing

The ability to extract useful information from small bits of behavior.

Availability Heuristic

Estimating the likelihood of an occurrence based on the ease with which it comes to mind.

Hindsight Bias

Our tendency to overestimate how accurately we could have predicted something happening once we know the outcome.

Top-Down Processing

Filling in the gaps of missing information using our experience and background knowledge.

Chunking

Memory aid that relies on our ability to organize information into larger units.

Bottom-Up Processing

Our brain processes only the information it receives and constructs meaning from it slowly and surely.

Linguistic Determinism

Extreme view suggesting that we cannot experience thought without language.

Linguistic Relativity

View that characteristics of language shape our thought processes.

System 1 Thinking

Rapid and intuitive decision-making process.

System 2 Thinking

Slow and analytical decision-making process.

Algorithms

Step-by-step learned procedures for solving problems.

General Intelligence (g)

Hypothetical factor that accounts for overall differences in intellect among people.

Specific Abilities (s)

Particular ability level in a narrow domain.

Fluid Intelligence

The capacity to learn new ways of solving problems; abilities are likely to decline with age.

Crystallized Intelligence

Accumulated knowledge of the world acquired over time; may increase with age.

Multiple Intelligences

Idea that people vary in ability levels across different domains of intellectual intelligence.

Triarchic Model

Model of intelligence proposed by Robert Sternberg positing three types of intelligence: analytical, practical, and creative.

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

Most widely used intelligence test for adults.

Cultural-Fair IQ Tests

Abstract reasoning measures that don’t depend on language.

Reliability of IQ Scores

The extent to which scores on a measure administered several times are roughly identical.

Intellectual Disability

Condition characterized by an onset to adulthood, an IQ below about 70, and inability to engage in adequate daily functioning.

Genius

Individuals who score in the top 2 percent of the IQ range, often becoming professionals in intellectual fields.