Psychology Unit 5: Cognition

Intelligence

is the mental capacity to learn, solve problems, and adapt to new situations

IQ Formula

MA/CA=IQ where MA is mental age and CA is chronological age

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences

a theory describing the different ways students learn and acquire information

Savants

people with a remarkable talent in one or more domains, but score low on measures of verbal ability and social competence

Stanford-Binet Test

an IQ test that is in relation to others of the same age

Principles of Test Construction

standardization, reliability, validity

Standardization

a pretest group is used as the “standard”, everyone is compared to it and is based on a bell curve

Reliability

the trustworthiness or consistency of a measure

Validity

the characteristic of being founded on truth, accuracy, fact, or law

Flynn Effect

the substantial increase in average intelligence scores all over the world

Achievement Tests

what you have learned in a specific area

Aptitude Test

how you are predicted to do in a specific area

Fluid Intelligence

being able to think and reason abstractly and solve problems

Crystallized Intelligence

the knowledge that comes from prior learning and past experiences

Phonemes

single sounds “C” “AR”

Morphemes

smallest language units that carry meaning

Syntax

the rules within sentences (putting multiple words together)

Semantics

rules that help derive meaning

Algorithm

step-by-step rules to find a solution

Heuristics

problem-solving by using strategies that make logical sense to you

Representativeness Heuristic

a mental shortcut that we use when estimating probabilities

Availability Heuristic

our tendency to use information that comes to mind quickly when making decisions

Functional Fixedness

the inability to use objects in a way that is outside of their normal function

Belief Bias

the tendency to rely on prior beliefs

Confirmation Bias

We more readily search for and accept information that confirms our ideas

Convergent Thinking

cognition that leads in a singular direction

Divergent Thinking

cognition that leads in various directions

Prototypes

an example that represents the concept

Naturalist Intelligence

a persons interest and relationship with animals, plants, etc.

Interpersonal Intelligence

ability to interact with others

Intrapersonal Intelligence

communication with oneself

Spatial Intelligence

the ability to visualize a space and imagine it from different angles

Musical Intelligence

capacity to think in music and rhythm

Linguistic Intelligence

the extent of your abilities to communicate

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

how well one can control their body in terms of physical activity and motor skills

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

ability to analyze situations logically, identify solutions and solve math operations

Insight

when we solve a problem we have an emotional experience

Noam Chomsky

he said language is inborn and all languages have common consistencies

Genie the Wild Child

the girl held captive with no outside contact for 13 years, unable to speak