Thinking and Intelligence - Psychology 2e

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on Thinking and Intelligence in Psychology.

Cognition

The mental process of thinking, including perception, knowledge, problem-solving, judgment, language, and memory.

Prototype

The best example or representation of a concept.

Natural Concepts

Categories created naturally through direct or indirect experience.

Artificial Concepts

Defined by specific characteristics, such as geometric shapes.

Schema

A mental construct consisting of related concepts that help us make assumptions about people, objects, or situations.

Event Schema

A set of routine or automatic behaviors that dictate behavior in specific contexts, such as standing in an elevator.

Lexicon

The words of a given language.

Grammar

The set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon.

Phoneme

A basic sound unit in language.

Morpheme

The smallest units of language that convey meaning.

Critical Period

A time frame during which language acquisition is maximally effective.

Trial and Error

A problem-solving strategy involving trying different solutions until one works.

Algorithm

A step-by-step problem-solving formula.

Heuristic

A general problem-solving framework that uses shortcuts and rules of thumb.

Functional Fixedness

The inability to perceive an object being used in a way other than its intended function.

Confirmatory Bias

The tendency to focus on information that confirms existing beliefs.

Fluid Intelligence

The ability to see complex relationships and solve problems in novel situations.

Crystalized Intelligence

Acquired knowledge and the ability to retrieve it.

Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner's theory that proposes individuals have at least eight distinct intelligences.

Creativity

The ability to generate, create, or discover new ideas and solutions.

Dyslexia

A learning disability that affects the ability to process letters and read, often involving letter reversals.

Dysgraphia

A learning disability that results in difficulty with writing legibly.