Unit 2.2 Thinking, Problem-Solving, Decision-Making

Metacognition

thinking about ones own thinking process

Ex-reflecting on study strategies and identifying what works best

Executive functions

high level cognitive processes like planning, organizing, and critical thinkingg

Ex- organizing a community event and adjusting plans for better outcomes

Concepts

mental groups of similar objects, ideas, or people to simplify thinking

ex- grouping all seating furniture as chairs

Prototypes

best example or representation of a category

Ex- an apple as a prototype for the concept of fruit

Schemas

cognitive frameworks for organizing and interpreting information

ex- recognizing a dog by characters like fur and barking

Assimilation

integrating new information into existing schemas

ex- categorizing a lab as a dog

accommodation

modifying schemas for new information

ex- creating a new schema for cats

Convergent Thinking

focuses on finding a single, correct solution

ex- solving math problem for specific answer

divergent thinking

generating multiple possible solutions oridea

ex- brainstorming creative use for a paperclip

functional fixedness

limiting the use of an object to its traditional function

ex- not use a wrench as a hammer

Algorithms

step by step procedure that guarantee a correct solution

ex- following an exact recipe

Heuristics

mental shortcuts for decision making

representativeness heuristic

judging based on sterotypes

availability heuristic

judging based on memorable examples

mental set

sticking to a previously successful approach

ex- using the same strategy for different problems, even when ineffective

priming

exposure to one stimulus affect the response to another

ex- Seeing flowers at a store primes customers to perceive the store positively.

framing

how information is presented influence perception and design making

ex-90 % fat-free is perceived more positively than 10% fat

Gambler's Fallacy

believing past events influence independent outcomes

sunk cost fallacy

continuing a failing effort due to prior investments