Ch 20 Cognition Across the Lifespan

(ages 0 to 2) children explore the world using their senses and motor movements

sensorimotor stage

When a child becomes aware that something still exists even when it cannot be seen

object permanence

(ages 2 to 7) Children engage in pretend play and develop language

preoperational stage

The inability to assume another's point of view (preoperational stage)

egocentrism

(ages 7-11) Children begin to think logically about concrete events and to master conservation

concrete operational stage

The understanding that an object's properties remain the same even if its form changes

conservation

(ages 11+) Children develop moral reasoning and hypothetical thinking as a result of logical, abstract thinking

formal operational stage

Mental representations based on culture and experience that guide expectations

Schemas

Occurs when children interpret new information or experiences using existing schemas

assimilation

Occurs when new information changes existing schemas

accommodation

The ability to learn, adapt, and solve problems

intelligence

Some experts, such as _______, asserted that intelligence reflects a single trait ( the _____)

Charles Spearman; g factor

Covers a borad range of skills in different domains

Howard Gardner's theory of multple intelligences

The different types of intelligence in Gardner's theory include

linguistic, visual-spatial, musical-rhythmic, logical-mathematical, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalist, and kinesthetic

Another theory, Robert Sternberg's ________, consists of three types of intelligence: practical (applying real-world knowledge to manage everyday problems), creative (managing novel situations and inventing new things), and analytical (scrutinizing, evaluating, and solving problems).

Triarchic theory of intelligence

Invovles identifying a problem, coming up with a tactic or strategy to colve the problem, carrying out the tactic or strategy, and evaluating whether a solution has been attained.

Problem-solving

It involves attempting possible solutions until the problem is solved, ruling out ineffective solutions along the way

Trial and error

A systematic procedure that produces an accurate solution to a well-defined problem

algorithm

A mental shortcut that allows for fast problem-solving and decision-making (can lead to inaccurate conclusions)

Heuristic

The tendency to compare things (people, events) to mental prototypes when making judgments

representativeness heuristic

The tendency to believe that if something is easily recalled from memory, it must be common or likely

availability heuristic

Occurs when an individual has a preconceived belief and looks only for evidence supporting that belief, ignoring contradictory evidence

Confirmation bias

When an event is perceived as having been predictable after it occurs

hindsight bias

When an individual continues using a problem-solving method that worked previously but is not right for the current problem

Mental set

Prevents an individual from thinking of different uses for an object

functional fixedness

Argues that language is an entirely learned behavior

B.F. Skinner's learning theory (behaviorist theory)

Proposes that language is not learned like other behaviors are (through conditioning and modeling); instead, the learning of language is an innate process hardwired in the brain

nativist theory

involved in language development

Wernicke's area

Proposes that language acquisition is the result of both biological factors (typical brain development) and environmental factors (the interaction that occurs between children and their caregivers).

Interactionist theory

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis argues that language influences perception and cognition

Linguistic relativity hypothesis

Located in the left frontal lobe, it is responsible for language production

Broca's area

Damage to Broca's area results in a type of _____ in which patients have difficulty _____ spoken or written language (eg, mispronouncing words)

aphasia (a problem with language production or comprehension); producing

Located in the left temporal lobe, and is responsible for language comprehension

Wernicke's area

Damage to Wernicke's area results in a type of ______ in which patients have difficulty _____ spoken and written language. (difficult understanding what others are saying).

aphasia; comprehending