2.2 Vocab Cognitive Development and Heuristics

AP PSYCH

creativity

The ability to generate novel and valuable ideas, solutions, or products that are meaningful or useful in particular context

algorithm

a step-by-step procedure or formula for solving a problem, often involving repetitive operations

framing

The way information is presented or framed can influence decision-making and judgement by highlighting certain aspects of the information while downplaying others

representativeness heuristic

a mental shortcut where judgements or decisions are based on how well an individual or event matches a particular prototype or stereotype

prototype

a mental image or representation of the typical features or essential characteristics of a category or concept

accomodation

In Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, the process of modifying existing cognitive structures in response to new information or experiences

Gambler’s Fallacy

The mistaken belief that if something happens more frequently than normal during a given period, it will happen less frequently in the future, or vice versa

Sunk Cost Fallacy

The fallacy of making decisions based on past investment (time, money, resources) rather than on current and future benefits and costs

heuristic

A mental shortcut or rule of thumb that simplifies problem-solving and decision-making, often leading to efficient but not always accurate judgements

executive functions

higher-level cognitive processes involved in goal setting, planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and self-regulation

priming

The activation of particular associations in memory, often unconsciously, which can influence subsequent behavior or cognition

divergent thinking

a thought process used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions

functional fixedness

a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used

convergent thinking

a type of thinking characterized by narrowing down possible solutions to find a single correct answer, often associated with traditional problem-solving tasks

availability heuristic

a mental shortcut where people make judgements based on the ease with which examples come to mind, often leading to overestimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory

concept

a mental category or representation of objects, events, or ideas that share common features or characteristics

assimilation

In piaget’s theory of cognitive development, the process of incorporating new information or experiences into existing cognitive structures or schemas

mental age

a measure of intellectual development based on performance relative to average performance for a given chronological age, often used in intelligence testing