Cognition and Gestalt Psychology

Gestalt psychology

Psychology focused on perception and how people organize sensory information into meaning.

Core Gestalt concept

The mind organizes information by looking at the whole rather than just its individual pieces.

Principle of closure

A Gestalt principle where the brain fills in gaps to perceive a complete form.

Cognition (Thinking)

A mental framework that helps the mind run efficiently.

Components of cognition

Includes memory, perception, learning, judgement, language, and problem solving.

Schema

A mental framework that holds information and relationships among them.

Event schemata

A cognitive script dictating what to expect and how to act in a certain situation.

Prototype

A key example or representation of a concept.

Problem solving

Mental ways on how to reach a goal when a barrier is present.

Trial and error

A strategy of trying different options or steps until a problem is solved.

Algorithm

A detailed protocol designed to maximize the likelihood of success.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts that serve as a general framework for problem solving.

Root cause of problem-solving pitfalls

Life is complex and ambiguous, causing humans to oversimplify and assume.

Availability heuristic

Estimating event frequency or probability by how easily instances are brought to mind.

Confirmation bias

When the brain looks for information consistent with its existing beliefs.

Hindsight bias

Believing you knew an event would happen all along after it has already occurred.

Anchoring bias

When a judgment is made by relying heavily on the initial pieces of information encountered.

Definition of an anchor

The initial piece of information encountered that influences a judgment.

Cognitive script alternative name

Event schemata.

Purpose of schemata

Helps the mind run efficiently by organizing information and relations.

Algorithm vs. heuristics

Algorithms are detailed protocols for success; heuristics are mental shortcuts.

Gestalt psychologist focus

Interested in perception and organizing sensory info to find meaning.

Problem-solving barrier

An obstacle located in between the thinker and their goal.

Availability heuristic mechanism

Estimating probability based on the ease with which instances are recalled.

Confirmation bias mechanism

Searching exclusively for info that aligns with what one already believes.

Which scenario best illustrates the availability heuristic?

A) Believing you knew an outcome all along after it occurs

B) Estimating the frequency of a risk based on how easily recent examples come to mind

C) Relying on the first piece of information encountered when making a judgment

D) Searching exclusively for data that supports your prior beliefs

B) Estimating the frequency of a risk based on how easily recent examples come to mind

What is the primary function of an event schemata (cognitive script)?

A) To provide a detailed step-by-step protocol that guarantees success

B) To act as a prototype representation of a broader conceptual category

C) To dictate what to expect and how to act in a specific social situation

D) To organize visual sensory elements by filling in missing gaps

C) To dictate what to expect and how to act in a specific social situation

How do algorithms primarily differ from heuristics in cognitive problem-solving?

A) Algorithms use detailed step-by-step protocols to maximize success, whereas heuristics use mental shortcuts.

B) Algorithms are mental shortcuts, whereas heuristics are exhaustive protocols.

C) Algorithms always result in cognitive biases, whereas heuristics never fail.

D) Algorithms rely on ease of recall, whereas heuristics rely on initial anchors.

A) Algorithms use detailed step-by-step protocols to maximize success, whereas heuristics use mental shortcuts.

An investor makes a financial valuation heavily influenced by the initial price point they encountered, ignoring subsequent market trends. This is an example of:

A) Confirmation bias

B) Hindsight bias

C) Availability heuristic

D) Anchoring bias

D) Anchoring bias

The Gestalt psychology principle where the brain automatically fills in missing sensory gaps to perceive a complete form is called:

A) Prototype formation

B) Principle of closure

C) Event schemata

D) Trial and error processing

B) Principle of closure