2.2: Thinking, Problem-Solving, Judgments, and Decision-Making

Cognition

All mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.

Perceiving

The process of interpreting and becoming aware of sensory information.

Reasoning

The process of drawing conclusions from premises or evidence.

Remembering

Recalling or recognizing information that was previously learned.

Imagining

Forming new images or concepts not present to the senses.

Conceiving

The ability to form or devise a mental concept or plan.

Judging

Forming opinions or conclusions based on evidence or experience.

Problem-Solving

The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.

Concepts

Mental groupings of similar objects, events, ideas, or people.

Prototype

A best example or mental image of a category that helps quickly sort new items.

Assimilation

Interpreting new experiences in terms of existing schemas.

Accommodation

Adapting current schemas to incorporate new information.

Executive Functions

Mental processes that enable planning, focus, remembering instructions, and multitasking.

Algorithms

A methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a problem.

Heuristics

A simple thinking strategy that often allows for fast, efficient judgments—more error-prone than algorithms.

Representative Heuristic

Judging the likelihood of things based on how well they match prototypes.

Availability Heuristic

Estimating the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind.

Mental Set

A tendency to approach a problem in one particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past.

Priming

The activation of certian associations, often unconsciously, that influence perception, memory, or response.

Repetition Priming

Easier recognition of a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Semantic Priming

A process in which activation of an idea in memory causes activation to spread to other ideas related to the first in meaning.

Framing

The way information is presented can affect decision-making and judgments.

Creativity

The ability to produce novel and valuable ideas by combining information in new ways.

Divergent Thinking

A type of thinking that explores many possible solutions and is associated with creativity.

Convergent Thinking

A type of thinking that narrows options to determine the single best solution to a problem.

Expertise

A well-developed knowledge base in a specific area, which supports creativity and problem-solving.

Imaginative Thinking

The ability to see things in novel ways, recognize patterns, and make unique connections.

Venturesome Personality

A trait characterized by risk-taking, perseverance, and seeking new experiences—associated with creative individuals.

Intrinsic Motivation

Performing a task for internal satisfaction or interest rather than external rewards.

Creative Environment

A supportive setting that fosters creativity through encouragement, resources, and freedom of expression.

Functional Fixedness

A cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the traditional way it is used.

Gambler's Fallacy

The mistaken belief that if something happens more frequently than normal, it will happen less frequently in the future, and vice versa.

Sunk-Cost Fallacy

The tendency to continue investing in a decision based on prior investment, even when it no longer makes rational sense.