Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

These flashcards cover key concepts and theories related to cognition, intelligence, mental imagery, and the history of intelligence testing.

What is cognition?

Cognition is the mental activities involved in acquiring, retaining, and using knowledge.

How is thinking defined in psychology?

Thinking is the manipulation of mental representations of information in order to draw inferences and conclusions.

What is a mental image?

A mental image is a mental representation of objects or events that are not physically present.

What role does creativity play in problem-solving?

Creativity involves using cognitive processes to generate useful, original, and novel ideas or solutions to problems.

What is a concept?

A concept is a mental category of objects or ideas based on properties they share.

What is a prototype?

A prototype is the most typical instance of a particular concept.

What did Alfred Binet contribute to intelligence testing?

Alfred Binet developed procedures to identify students who might require special help, leading to the first systematic intelligence tests.

What is mental age in the context of intelligence testing?

Mental age is a measurement of intelligence expressed in terms of the average abilities of a given age group.

How is an intelligence quotient (IQ) calculated?

IQ is calculated by dividing an individual's mental age by their chronological age and multiplying by 100.

What factors are considered when measuring intelligence?

Intelligence measures include standardization, reliability, and validity, alongside mental abilities and cognitive processes.

What is the Flynn effect?

The Flynn effect refers to the observed rise in average IQ scores over generations in various populations.

Who proposed the triarchic theory of intelligence?

The triarchic theory of intelligence was proposed by Robert Sternberg, and it includes analytical, creative, and practical intelligence.

What is eugenics?

Eugenics is the dangerous belief that human genetics can be improved by systematically preventing members of certain groups thought to be inferior from breeding.

How does environment influence intelligence?

Environmental factors can affect the expression of genetic potential and have been shown to significantly influence intelligence test scores.