Cognitive Development in Adolescence Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards on Cognitive Development in Adolescence based on Berk (2021) Sections 15.1 to 15.4.

Hypothetico-Deductive Reasoning

Involves forming a hypothesis, deducing logical inferences, and systematically isolating/combining variables to confirm predictions, moving from possibility to reality.

Propositional Thought

The ability to evaluate the logic of verbal statements (propositions) without needing real-world circumstances as reference.

Working Memory

A cognitive system guided by the prefrontal cortex; involved in active processing and manipulation of information.

Inhibition

The cognitive process of dismissing irrelevant stimuli and responses that are judged inappropriate.

Attention

A selective process that involves identifying and prioritizing relevant information.

Planning

The ability to organize and execute multiple steps to achieve a goal, improving with cognitive development.

Strategies

Effective techniques used to enhance storage, representation, and retrieval of information.

Metacognition

Awareness and consideration of one's own thought processes.

Cognitive Self-Regulation

Monitoring, evaluating, and redirecting one's own thinking processes.

Scientific Reasoning

The act of coordinating theories with evidence; develops over time with greater working memory capacity and specific learning experiences.

Imaginary Audience

An adolescent's belief that they are the focus of everyone else’s attention and concern, leading to self-consciousness.

Personal Fable

An adolescent's belief that they are special or unique, often leading to an inflated sense of importance.

Idealism

Adolescents' capacity to think about possibilities, opening their thinking to envisioning an ideal world and alternative life paths.

Stereotype Threat

The risk of confirming negative stereotypes about one's group, which can affect performance (e.g., in math for females).