popeyes pioneer

Prototypes

A mental image or best example of a category that helps with classification.

Assimilation

Interpreting new information in terms of existing schemas.

Accommodation

Adapting current schemas to incorporate new information.

Algorithms

A step-by-step procedure that guarantees a solution to a problem.

Heuristics

A simple, efficient rule or mental shortcut for solving problems.

Availability heuristic

A decision-making strategy based on how easily examples come to mind.

Representativeness heuristic

Judging the likelihood of an event based on how much it matches a prototype.

Mental set

A tendency to approach a problem in a particular way, often based on past experience.

Priming

The activation of certain associations, influencing perception or behavior.

Framing

The way a problem or question is posed, which can influence decisions and judgments.

Gambler’s fallacy

The mistaken belief that past events can influence future probabilities in random events.

Sunk-cost fallacy

Continuing an endeavor because of prior investment, despite new evidence suggesting it’s no longer worthwhile.

Creativity

The ability to produce novel and valuable ideas.

Divergent thinking

Thinking that involves generating many different ideas or solutions.

Convergent thinking

Thinking that involves narrowing down multiple options to find a single best solution.

Functional fixedness

A cognitive bias limiting a person to use an object only in the way it’s traditionally used.

Memory

The persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information.

Encoding

The process of getting information into memory.

Retrieval

The process of getting information out of memory storage.

Storage

The retention of encoded information over time.

Explicit memory

Memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and declare.

Implicit memory

Memory that does not require conscious recall, such as skills and procedures.

Prospective memory

Remembering to perform a planned action in the future.

Long-term potentiation

An increase in a synapse’s firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation; believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory.

Central executive

The part of working memory that directs attention and processing.

Phonological loop

The component of working memory that processes auditory information.

Visuospatial sketchpad

The component of working memory that processes visual and spatial information.

Short-term memory

Memory that holds a few items briefly before the information is stored or forgotten.

Long-term memory

The relatively permanent and limitless storage of information.

Working memory

A newer understanding of short-term memory involving conscious, active processing.

Sensory memory

The immediate, very brief recording of sensory information.

Iconic memory

A momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli.

Echoic memory

A momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli.

Automatic processing

Unconscious encoding of incidental information.

Effortful processing

Encoding that requires attention and conscious effort.

Shallow processing

Encoding on a basic level, such as the structure or appearance of words.

Deep processing

Encoding semantically, based on the meaning of the words, leading to better retention.

Mnemonic devices

Memory aids that use vivid imagery and organizational devices.

Method of loci

A mnemonic device that involves associating items with specific locations.

Chunking

Organizing information into manageable units or chunks.

Spacing effect

The tendency for distributed practice to yield better long-term retention.

Massed practice

Practicing continuously without breaks, leading to less effective memory retention.

Distributed practice

Spacing learning over time to improve retention and performance.

Serial position effect

The tendency to recall the first and last items in a list more easily.

Primacy effect

The tendency to remember items at the beginning of a list better.

Recency effect

The tendency to remember items at the end of a list better.

Maintenance rehearsal

Repeating information to keep it in short-term memory longer.

Elaborative rehearsal

Linking new information to existing knowledge to aid encoding.

Autobiographical memory

A memory system consisting of episodes from one’s personal life.

Recall

Retrieving information learned earlier, as in a fill-in-the-blank test.

Recognition

Identifying previously learned information, as in a multiple-choice test.

Context-dependent memory

Improved recall when the context during encoding and retrieval is the same.

Mood congruent memory

The tendency to recall experiences consistent with one’s current mood.

State-dependent memory

Improved recall when in the same state as during encoding.

Testing effect

Enhanced memory after retrieving information rather than simply rereading it.

Metacognition

Awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes.

Retrograde amnesia

Loss of memories from before a specific event or injury.

Anterograde amnesia

Inability to form new memories after a specific event or injury.

Infantile amnesia

The inability to recall memories from early childhood.

Encoding failure

Inability to remember information due to improper encoding.

Forgetting curve

A graph showing how information is lost over time when not rehearsed.

Proactive interference

Older information interferes with the recall of newer information.

Retroactive interference

Newer information interferes with the recall of older information.

Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon

The temporary inability to recall a word or name while feeling that it’s just out of reach.

Repression

A defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-inducing thoughts, feelings, and memories from consciousness.

Misinformation effect

When misleading information alters a memory of an event.

Source amnesia

Attributing a memory to the wrong source.

Constructive memories

Memories that are influenced by prior knowledge, expectations, and suggestions.

Memory consolidation

The process of stabilizing a memory trace after initial acquisition.

Imagination inflation

The increased confidence in a false memory due to imagining the event.

intelligence

The ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.

g factor

A general intelligence factor that underlies specific mental abilities.

multiple intelligences

A theory proposing that intelligence is comprised of various distinct types, such as linguistic or spatial intelligence.

intelligence quotient

A score derived from standardized intelligence tests, originally calculated as mental age divided by chronological age, multiplied by 100.

mental age

A measure of intellectual development reflecting the level of performance typically associated with a particular chronological age.

psychometrics

The field of study focused on the design, administration, and interpretation of quantitative tests.

standardization

The process of establishing norms and consistent procedures for administering a test.

Flynn effect

The observed rise in average intelligence test scores over generations.

achievement tests

Tests designed to measure knowledge and skills in specific areas.

aptitude tests

Tests designed to predict an individual's ability to learn or perform in the future.

fixed mindset

The belief that abilities and intelligence are static traits that cannot change.

growth mindset

The belief that abilities and intelligence can develop through effort and learning.

validity

The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

construct validity

The degree to which a test measures the theoretical construct it is intended to measure.

predictive validity

The extent to which test scores can predict future performance on related tasks or criteria.

reliability

The consistency of a test in producing the same results under similar conditions.

split-half reliability

A measure of reliability where a test is split into two parts, and the scores on both halves are compared.

test-retest reliability

A measure of reliability obtained by administering the same test twice over a period and comparing the scores.