Unit 2 Cognition Flashcards

Cognition flashcards for regular psychology.

Cognition

Processes of thought such as attending, knowing, remembering, and making decisions

Concept

A mental representation of objects and categories

Formal Concept

A concept with characteristics defined by clear rules

Natural Concept

A concept without clearly defined characteristics

Prototype

A mental representation of the “best example” of a concept

Exemplar

Any item object that is an example of a given concept

Problem

A situation in which a person has a goal that i snot yet accomplished

Problem space

all possible configurations of steps towards solving a problem

Algorithm

A process or set of steps to solve a problem

Hill-climbing

A type of problem-solving algorithm in which the problem solver takes small steps, evaluating each step whether it brings them closer to the solution

Working Backward

A problem solving algorithm which goes from the solution and takes steps backwards to arrive at the steps toward a solution

Means-end analysis

Solving a problem by a combination of forward and backward looking strategies

Convergent thinking

Type of thinking in which the number of possible solution is narrowed down to the single best solution

Divergent Thinking

Type of thinking in which the number of possible solutions is expanded to include multiple feasible solutions

Insight problems

Problems in which the problem solver comes to the solution all at once, not gradually

Incubation

When a problem solvers sets aside an unsolved problem and thinks about something else

Fixation

The inability to see a problem from a new perspective

Mental Set

A tendency to approach a problem in a way that has worked in the past

Confirmation Bias

A tendency to search for information that supports our pre-existing beliefs while ignoring information that contradicts those beliefs

Representative Heuristic

We tend to estimate the likelihood of an event or create a judgment based on how closely they match a prototype or stereotype

Availability Heuristic

We tend to estimate the likelihood of an event based on how available a similar circumstance is in our memory. Events that come easily to mind can cause us to believe they occur more often.

Overconfidence

The tendency to overestimate how accurate our beliefs and judgements are. We tend to be more confident than correct.

Belief Perseverance

We tend to cling to our initial belief even when given evidence to the contrary

Cognitive Dissonance

When our actions do not match our beliefs, we tend to create an excuse to relieve our feelings of discomfort

Framing Effect

The way an issue is posed or worded can change our judgements or decisions

Metacognition

Metacognition is the ability to think about and control one's own thinking processes. It involves self-awareness, self-regulation, and reflection on how we learn.

Creativity

Ability to think outside the box, generate new ideas, and solve problems in innovative ways

Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman

Psychologists who proposed the various heuristics people use when making judgments or decisions in the 1970s

J.P. Guilford

Psychologist best known for his study of human intelligence who first coined the terms convergent thinking and divergent thinking in the 1950s