Cognition, Language, and Intelligence Review

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cognition, language, intelligence, and problem-solving.

Cognition

Mental processes involved in gaining knowledge: thinking, problem-solving, memory, judgment.

Concepts

Categories or groups of related objects or ideas.

Natural concepts

Based on everyday experience (e.g., 'bird').

Artificial concepts

Defined by strict rules (e.g., 'triangle').

Prototype

The best example of a concept (your mental 'model').

Schema

Mental frameworks that help organize knowledge.

Role schema

Expectations about people (e.g., 'teacher').

Event schema

Expectations about sequences of events (e.g., 'restaurant routine').

Language

System of symbols and rules that allows communication.

Phoneme

Smallest unit of sound (e.g., 'b', 'th').

Morpheme

Smallest unit of meaning (e.g., 'un-', 'dog').

Syntax

Grammar rules governing word order.

Semantics

Meaning of words and sentences.

Linguistic relativity hypothesis

Language influences how we think and perceive the world.

Trial and error

Trying options until one works in problem-solving.

Algorithm

Step-by-step method that guarantees a solution.

Heuristic

Mental shortcut that is fast but error-prone.

Functional fixedness

Inability to see new uses for an object.

Mental set

Relying only on past methods in problem-solving.

Anchoring bias

Relying too much on the first piece of information given.

Confirmation bias

Seeking information that supports what you believe.

Hindsight bias

The belief that one knew the outcome all along.

Representative heuristic

Judging by how typical something seems.

Availability heuristic

Judging by what is easiest to recall.

Intelligence

The ability to learn, reason, solve problems, and adapt to the environment.

Spearman’s “g” factor

One general ability underlying all tasks.

Fluid intelligence

Reasoning and problem-solving in new situations.

Crystallized intelligence

Accumulated knowledge and facts.

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory

Three types of intelligence: analytical, creative, and practical.

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

At least 8 kinds of intelligence including linguistic and spatial.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

Perceiving, understanding, and managing emotions in self and others.

Creativity

Ability to generate, create, or discover new ideas.

Convergent thinking

Finding one correct solution.

Divergent thinking

Producing many possible solutions, key to creativity.

Binet-Simon Test

First IQ test; introduced the concept of mental age.

Wechsler Tests

Modern IQ tests for adults (WAIS) and children (WISC).

IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

Standardized measure of intelligence; average score is 100.

Standardization

Same conditions for everyone taking a test.

Reliability

Consistency of results over time.

Validity

Measures what it claims to measure.

Cultural bias

Tests may favor experiences or language of certain groups.

Genetics vs Environment

Influence on intelligence from genetic factors and environment.

Learning Disabilities

Normal IQ but specific deficits in learning (e.g., dyslexia).