AP PSYCH UNIT 4

Prototype

A mental image or best example of a category. Ex. Thinking of a robin when you hear “bird.”

Schema

A mental framework that organizes information about something. Ex. A “school” schema includes desks, teachers, and homework.

Assimilation

Fitting new information into an existing schema. Ex. Calling an electric scooter a “bike” because it has two wheels.

Accommodation

Changing a schema or creating a new one to fit new information. Ex. Creating a new category for “scooters” after learning how they work.

Algorithm

A step-by-step method that guarantees a solution. Ex. Following a cake recipe.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts used to make quick decisions. Ex. Picking the shortest store line because it looks faster.

Stereotypes (Representativeness Heuristic)

Judging someone based on how closely they match a typical image of a group. Ex. Assuming someone plays basketball because they are tall.

First/Vivid Examples (Availability Heuristic)

Judging how common something is based on how easily examples come to mind. Ex. Thinking shark attacks are common after seeing one on the news.

Mental Set

Using a familiar strategy to solve a problem, even when it may not work. Ex. Restarting your phone for every tech issue.

Priming

Being influenced by something you recently experienced or thought about. Ex. After a horror movie, thinking a creak in the house means danger.

Framing

The way information is presented affects decisions. Ex. Buying food labeled “90% fat

Gambler’s Fallacy

Believing a past random outcome affects the chances of a future one. Ex. Thinking you will win because you have lost five times in a row.

Sunk

Cost Fallacy

Executive Functions

Mental skills used to plan, focus, remember instructions, and control actions. Ex. Planning a study schedule and sticking to it before a test.

Creativity

The ability to produce original and useful ideas. Ex. Designing a unique poster for a school event.

Divergent Thinking

Coming up with many possible solutions or ideas. Ex. Brainstorming different ways to use a paperclip.

Convergent Thinking

Narrowing down ideas to find one correct answer. Ex. Solving a multiple

Functional Fixedness

Being unable to see a new use for a familiar object. Ex. Not realizing you can use a shoe as a doorstop.

Spearman’s (g) General Intelligence

The idea that one general intelligence influences performance in many areas. Ex. Doing well in math and reading because of a strong general ability.

Sternberg’s Creative Intelligence

The ability to create new ideas and solve problems in original ways. Ex. Inventing a new way to solve a school project problem.

Sternberg’s Analytical Intelligence

The ability to analyze information and solve problems logically. Ex. Finding the correct answer on a standardized math test.

Sternberg’s Practical Intelligence

The ability to handle everyday problems using real

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

The theory that people have different types of intelligence and strengths. Ex. A student being good at music but struggling in math.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

A score that measures a person's performance on an intelligence test compared with others. Ex. Scoring 110 on an IQ test, slightly above average.

Standardization of Tests

Giving a test under the same conditions and rules for everyone. Ex. Everyone takes the SAT under the same time limits and rules.

Construct Validity of Tests

How well a test measures what it is supposed to measure. Ex. A math test measuring math skills, not reading ability.

Predictive Validity of Tests

How well a test predicts future performance or outcomes. Ex. The SAT predicting how well students do in college.

Test

Retest Reliability

Split

Half Reliability

Stereotype Threat on Intelligence Assessments

Fear of confirming a negative stereotype about your group, which can hurt test performance. Ex. A female student doing worse on a math test after being reminded of gender stereotypes.

Stereotype Lift on Intelligence Assessments

Improved performance when a person is reminded of a positive stereotype about their group or a negative one about another group. Ex. An Asian student performing better on a math test after hearing the stereotype that Asians are good at math.

Flynn Effect

The pattern of rising average IQ test scores over generations. Ex. Students today scoring higher on IQ tests than students from 50 years ago.

In

Group Variation on IQ Tests

Between

Group Variation on IQ Tests

Socioeconomic Reasons for Low IQ Score Outcomes

Limited access to resources and opportunities can affect test performance. Ex. A student without access to tutors or books scoring lower on standardized tests.

Uses of IQ Tests

Using IQ test results to identify abilities or areas where someone may need support. Ex. Identifying students who need extra support in school.

Limits of IQ Tests

IQ tests do not measure every type of ability or intelligence. Ex. Not measuring creativity or emotional intelligence.

Misuses of IQ Tests

Using IQ scores in unfair or inaccurate ways to judge people. Ex. Using IQ tests to wrongly label someone as “less capable.”

Achievement Tests

Tests that measure what someone has already learned. Ex. A final exam at the end of a course.

Aptitude Tests

Tests that predict how well someone may perform or learn in the future. Ex. The SAT aiming to predict how well you will do in college.

Fixed Mindset

Believing that intelligence and abilities cannot change much. Ex. Thinking “I’ll never be good at math no matter what I do.”

Growth Mindset

Believing that abilities can improve through effort and learning. Ex. Practicing math problems because you believe you can get better.

Stereotype Threat

The fear of confirming a negative stereotype about your group, which can affect performance. Ex. A student feeling pressure during a test because of a negative stereotype about their group.

Stereotype Lift

Improved performance caused by awareness of a positive stereotype about your group or a negative stereotype about another group. Ex. Feeling more confident after hearing a positive stereotype about your group.