ch 7 psychology

What is cognition?

The mental processes involved in thinking, including perception, memory, problem solving, and decision-making.

What is cognitive psychology?

The study of how people think, process information, and understand the world.

What is a concept?

A category or grouping of information, objects, or ideas.

What is a prototype?

The best or most typical example of a concept.

Scenario: You think of a golden retriever when someone says 'dog.' What is this?

Prototype

Difference between natural vs artificial concepts?

Natural: formed through experience (e.g., snow); Artificial: defined by specific rules (e.g., triangle).

What is a schema?

A mental framework that organizes related concepts.

What is a role schema?

Expectations about behavior for a specific role.

Scenario: You assume a firefighter is brave without knowing them.

Role schema

What is an event schema (cognitive script)?

A routine pattern of behavior.

Scenario: You automatically face the door in an elevator.

Event schema.

What is language?

A system of communication using words and rules.

What is a lexicon?

The vocabulary of a language.

What is grammar?

The rules for organizing words into meaning.

What is a phoneme?

The smallest unit of sound.

What is a morpheme?

The smallest unit of meaning.

Difference between syntax vs semantics?

Syntax = sentence structure; Semantics = meaning of words.

What is overgeneralization?

Applying grammar rules incorrectly (e.g., 'goed' instead of 'went').

Scenario: A child says 'mouses' instead of 'mice.'

Overgeneralization.

What is linguistic determinism?

The idea that language influences how we think.

What is a problem-solving strategy?

A method used to find a solution.

What is trial and error?

Trying multiple solutions until one works.

What is an algorithm?

A step-by-step method that guarantees a solution.

What is a heuristic?

A mental shortcut used to solve problems quickly.

Scenario: You follow a recipe exactly to bake a cake.

Algorithm.

Scenario: You guess answers based on experience.

Heuristic.

What is working backwards?

Starting from the goal and figuring out steps to reach it.

What is a mental set?

Sticking to a solution that worked before but doesn’t work now.

Scenario: You keep using the same study method even though you’re failing.

Mental set.

What is functional fixedness?

Seeing an object only for its usual purpose.

Scenario: Not realizing a coin can be used as a screwdriver.

Functional fixedness.

What is anchoring bias?

Focusing too much on one piece of information.

What is confirmation bias?

Looking for info that supports your beliefs.

What is hindsight bias?

Thinking you 'knew it all along.'

What is representative bias?

Stereotyping based on limited info.

What is availability heuristic?

Making decisions based on easily remembered examples.

Scenario: You think flying is dangerous because you saw a plane crash on the news.

Availability heuristic.

What is intelligence?

The ability to learn, understand, and solve problems.

What is Sternberg’s triarchic theory?

Intelligence has 3 parts: analytical, creative, practical.

What is analytical intelligence?

Academic problem-solving (school skills).

What is creative intelligence?

Ability to create new ideas.

What is practical intelligence?

'Street smarts.'

What is Gardner’s theory?

Multiple intelligences (different types like musical, interpersonal).

What is emotional intelligence?

Understanding emotions in yourself and others.

What is divergent thinking?

Thinking of many possible solutions.

What is convergent thinking?

Finding one correct answer.

What is IQ?

A score measuring intelligence.

Who created early intelligence tests?

Binet.

What are WAIS & WISC?

Wechsler intelligence tests for adults and children.

What is standardization?

Giving a test the same way to everyone.

What is norming?

Testing a large group to find average scores.

What is standard deviation?

How far scores vary from the average.

What is the Flynn effect?

IQ scores increase over generations.

What affects intelligence?

Both genetics and environment.

What is range of reaction?

Genetics sets limits, environment determines outcome.

What are learning disabilities?

Neurological issues affecting learning (not intelligence).

What is dyslexia?

Difficulty reading.

What is dysgraphia?

Difficulty writing.

What is dyscalculia?

Difficulty with math.

Scenario: A student struggles to read but has average intelligence.

Dyslexia.