Ch. 7 Thinking and Intelligence

algorithm

problem-solving strategy characterized by a specific set of instructions

cognition

thinking, including perception, learning, problem solving, judgment, and memory

concept

category or grouping of linguistic information, objects, ideas, or life experiences

divergent thinking

ability to think “outside the box” to arrive at novel solutions to a problem

event schema

set of behaviors that are performed the same way each time; also referred to as a cognitive script

functional fixedness

inability to see an object as useful for any other use other than the one for which it was intended

grammar

set of rules that are used to convey meaning through the use of a lexicon

heuristic

mental shortcut that saves time when solving a problem

language

communication system that involves using words to transmit information from one individual to another

lexicon

the words of a given language

morpheme

smallest unit of language that conveys some type of meaning

phoneme

basic sound unit of a given language (ah, eh)

overgeneralization

extension of a rule that exists in a given language to an exception to the rule

problem-solving strategy

method for solving problems

role schema

set of expectations that define the behaviors of a person occupying a particular role

schemata / schema

mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts

semantics

process by which we derive meaning from morphemes and words

syntax

manner by which words are organized into sentences

trial and error

problem-solving strategy in which multiple solutions are attempted until the correct one is found