Module 2.2 – Thinking and Problem Solving

Q: What are concepts?

Mental groupings of similar objects, events, or ideas.

Q: What is a prototype?

The best or most typical example of a concept.

Q: What is assimilation?

Fitting new info into an existing schema without changing it.

Q: What is accommodation?

Changing a schema to include new information.

Q: What is an algorithm?

A step-by-step method that guarantees a solution.

Q: What is a heuristic?

A mental shortcut used to make decisions quickly.

Q: What is the representativeness heuristic?

Judging based on how well something matches a prototype.

Q: What is the availability heuristic?

Judging based on what comes to mind first or most easily.

Q: What is a mental set?

Using past successful strategies to solve new problems.

Q: What is priming?

Exposure to one thing influences a response to another.

Q: What is framing?

The way an issue is presented affects decision-making.

Q: What is the gambler’s fallacy?

Belief that past events affect future probabilities.

Q: What is the sunk-cost fallacy?

Continuing a behavior due to already invested resources.

Q: What are executive functions?

Cognitive processes for planning and goal-directed behavior.

Q: What is creativity?

The ability to produce new and valuable ideas.

Q: What is divergent thinking?

Generating multiple solutions to a problem.

Q: What is functional fixedness?

Inability to see new uses for familiar objects.