AP Psych Unit 6: Thinking + Intelligence

convergent thinking

narrows the available problem solutions to determine the single best solution

divergent thinking

expanding the number of possible problem solutions; creative thinking that is open ended

cognition

the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating

concept

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

prototype

best example/image of a category (first thing that comes to mind)

algorithm

step-by-step procedure to guarantee a solution

heuristic

a simple thinking strategy used to make judgments quickly and efficiently; mental shortcuts

insight

a sudden realization of a problem's solution

framing

the way an issue is presented can affect our decisions and judgement

availibility heuristic

estimating the likelihood of events based on the availibility or how quickly an example comes to mind

representativeness heuristic

judging the likelihood of things in terms of how well they seem to represent or match prototypes; reliance on stereotypes

overconfidence

overestimating the accuracy of our own knowledge and judgments

mental set

a tendency to approach a problem in one particular way because it has been successful in the past

functional fixedness

inability to see the use of an object for anything other than its intended purpose

gamblers fallacy

mistaken belief that independent events are related

sunk-cost fallacy

tendency to continue a course of action in which one has already invested money, time, or effort

Priming

the activation, often unconsciously, of certain associations, thus predisposing one's perception, memory, or response

general ability

a measure of an individual's overall intelligence as opposed to specific abilities

multiple abilities

individuals possess a range of abilities that can be independently strong or weak

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

our abilities are best classified into eight independent intelligences, which include a broad range of skills beyond traditional school smarts

psychological assessments

Tools for understanding and predicting behavior that involve multiple methods, such as personal history interviews, behavioral observations, and psychological tests, for gathering information about an individual.

standardization

initial test given to pilot group to set the standards; scores used for comparison; test takers answer same questions

construct validity

the extent to which the test variables measure what they are supposed to measure (achievement tests)

predictive validity

extent to which a test predicts what it’s supposed to (aptitude tests)

test-retest reliability

a method for determining the reliability of a test by comparing a test taker's scores on the same test taken on separate occasions

split-half reliability

A measure of reliability in which a test is split into two parts and an individual's scores on both halves are compared.

stereotype threat

worry that ones behavior might confirm a negative stereotype about their group, impacting their actions and results

stereotype lift

a groups performance may be boosted because they are not associated with a negative stereotype

flynn effect

The rise in average IQ scores that has occurred over the decades in many nations

cultural bias

an aspect of an intelligence test in which the wording used in questions may be more familiar to people of one social group than to another group

Achievement tests

tests that measure a person's existing knowledge and skills/ what you’ve learned

aptitude tests

tests designed to predict a person's future performance

fixed mindset

the idea that we have a set amount of an ability that cannot change

growth mindset

belief that qualities can change/improve through effort

Spearman’s g (general intelligence)

believed intelligence was a single, general ability; if you’re bright in one area, you’re bright in all areas

IQ scores

used to determine in students need educational services

intelligence

the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations