PSYC 101 – Chapter 8 Study Guide Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

What is cognition?

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

Define concepts in psychology.

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

What are prototypes?

The best example of a category.

What is trial and error as a problem-solving strategy?

Random attempts until the solution is found.

Describe an algorithm.

A step-by-step method guaranteeing a solution.

What is a heuristic?

A simple thinking shortcut; faster but more error-prone.

What is insight in problem-solving?

A sudden realization of a solution (often referred to as the 'Aha!' moment).

What is confirmation bias?

The tendency to seek evidence that supports existing beliefs.

Define functional fixedness.

Seeing objects only in their typical use, which limits problem-solving.

What is intuition?

Effortless, automatic thinking.

Explain the availability heuristic.

Estimating event likelihood based on how easily it comes to mind.

What is the representativeness heuristic?

Judging based on similarity to a prototype.

What does overconfidence refer to?

Overestimating the accuracy of our knowledge.

Define belief perseverance.

Holding on to beliefs despite contrary evidence.

What is the framing effect?

The way an issue is presented affects decision-making.

Differentiate between convergent and divergent thinking.

one narrows problem-solving to one correct answer; the other expands the number of possible solutions.

List the 5 ingredients of creativity according to Sternberg.

Expertise, Imaginative Thinking, Venturesome Personality, Intrinsic Motivation, Creative Environment.

What is language?

A system of spoken, written, or signed communication.

Define receptive language.

Understanding words before speaking, as seen in infants.

What is productive language?

Producing words after receptive language is developed.

What is the critical period in language learning?

The best time for learning language which declines after age 7.

What area of the brain is responsible for speech production?

Broca’s Area, located in the left frontal lobe.

What does Wernicke’s Area specialize in?

Language comprehension, located in the left temporal lobe.

Can people think without language?

Yes, mental practice (e.g., imagining a task) can improve performance.

What is the definition of intelligence?

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

Describe Spearman’s g-Factor theory.

One general intelligence (g) underlies all abilities.

What are Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences?

Eight types of intelligences including linguistic, logical, musical, spatial, kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic

What are the three types of intelligence in Sternberg's Triarchic Theory?

Analytical, Creative, and Practical Intelligence.

Define emotional intelligence.

Understanding and managing emotions.

What is IQ?

An Intelligence Quotient that originally measured mental age against actual age.

What does an aptitude test predict?

Future performance.

Differentiate between an achievement test and an aptitude test.

one test measures learned knowledge, while the other predicts future performance.

What is the normal curve in intelligence?

A bell-shaped curve of IQ scores where average IQ is 100.

What is heritability in relation to intelligence?

The proportion of intelligence differences due to genetics.

How do environmental factors influence intelligence?

Education, culture, and experiences can significantly influence intelligence.

What is crystallized intelligence?

Knowledge and skills that increase with age.

How does fluid intelligence change with age?

involving quick reasoning and problem-solving, tends to decline with age.

Describe gender differences in intelligence.

Boys tend to excel in spatial and complex math

Girls excel in verbal fluency, spelling, and detecting emotions.

Are intelligence tests biased?

They may have predictive validity across groups, but cultural biases can exist.

Describe the stereotype threat

Fear of confirming a negative stereotype affects performance

Describe how race and ethnicity influences different races and ethnicities?

Intelligence scores differ among groups, but cultural and environmental factors are key influences.

What is the twin and adoption studies?

Identical twins have the most similar IQs, even when raised apart.

What are the 3 qualities of good testing?

Standardization – Consistent testing conditions and scoring.

Reliability – Consistent results over time.

Validity – Measures what it claims to measure.

Describe what the Wechsler Adult Intelligence scale measures?

verbal and nonverbal IQ