2.3 thinking processes + problem solving

metacognition

thinking about your own thinking processes

executive functions

allows us to generate, organize, plan and carry out goal-directed behavior + critical thinking

prototypes

mental image/best example of something for a category/concept in your head

schemas

ways we organize and interpret info based on past experience and knowledge

assimilation

adding new info into existing schemas (makes understanding schemas easier)

accommodation

modifying existing schemas/creating new schemas due to new info

convergent thinking

thinking process that focuses on finding a single, correct solution to a problem (relies heavily on logic)

functional fixedness

cognitive bias: individual uses an object only in the way it is traditionally used

algorithms

step-by-step ways for solving a problem

divergent thinking

thought process to generate creative ideas to find as many solutions as possible

heuristics

mental shortcuts to quickly make decisions (can be inaccurate)

representative heuristic

making judgements of something based on stereotypes

availability heuristic

relies on immediate examples that come to a person’s head when thinking about a topic

mental set

solving problems in a certain way because that method has worked in the past

priming

exposing someone to a stimulus, unconsciously

framing

how info is presented to influence decisions and perceptions

gambler’s fallacy

belief that the outcome of a random even is influenced by previous outcomes

sunk-cost fallacy

when we continue to invest into something because we’ve already invested so much time/effort into it, even if the outcome isn’t good