AP Psychology: Unit 7 Topic 4

Concept formation, problem solving, and decision-making

concept

a mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people

prototype

a mental image or best example of a category; provides a quick and easy method for sorting items into categories

algorithm

a methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem

heuristic

a simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently

insight

a sudden realization of a problem’s solution; contrasts with strategy-based solutions

confirmation bias

a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or destroy contradictory evidence

fixation

an inability to see a problem from a fresh perspective

mental set

a tendency to approach a problem in one particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past

functional fixedness

individuals are unable to see uses for an object beyond its traditional or intended purpose

representative heuristic

judging the likelihood of things in terms of how well they seem to represent, or match, particular prototypes; may lead us to ignore other relevant information

availability heuristic

estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory; if instances come readily to mind due to their vividness, we presume such events are common

belief perserverance

clinging to one’s initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited

gambler’s fallacy

individuals mistakenly believe that the probability of a random, independent event is influenced by previous, unrelated outcomes

sunk-cost fallacy

our tendency to follow through with something that we've already invested heavily in, even when giving up is clearly a better idea