Problem Solving & Intelligence(Unit 2:Cognition)

Prototypes

Mental representations of the typical or most common example of a category.

Schemas

Cognitive frameworks that help organize and interpret information based on past experiences.

Assimilation

The process of integrating new information into existing schemas without changing them.

Accommodation

The process of altering existing schemas or creating new ones in response to new information.

Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures or formulas for solving problems that guarantee a correct solution.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision making but do not guarantee a correct solution.

Representativeness heuristic

A mental shortcut used to judge the likelihood of an event based on how similar it is to a prototype.

Availability heuristic

A mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to mind when evaluating a specific topic.

Mental set

A tendency to approach problems in a particular way, often based on past experiences.

Priming

The activation of certain associations in memory just before carrying out an action or task.

Framing

The way information is presented, which can significantly affect decision making and judgment.

Gambler's fallacy

The belief that past random events can influence the outcome of future random events.

Sunk-cost fallacy

The tendency to continue an endeavor once an investment in money, effort, or time has been made.

Executive functions

Cognitive processes that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.

Creativity

The ability to produce new and original ideas or solutions.

Divergent thinking

A thought process used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions.

Convergent thinking

A thought process that focuses on finding a single, correct solution to a problem.

Functional fixedness

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

Testing effect

The phenomenon where long-term memory is enhanced when some of the learning period is devoted to retrieving the information.

Metacognition

Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.

Intelligence

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

g (general intelligence)

A construct that represents the common cognitive abilities that underlie performance on various mental tasks.

Multiple intelligence

Howard Gardner's theory that suggests there are various types of intelligence, each representing different ways of processing information.

Intelligence quotient (IQ)

A measure of a person's intellectual abilities in relation to others, typically derived from standardized tests.

Mental age

An individual's level of mental development relative to others, often assessed through IQ tests.

Chronological age

The actual age of a person measured in years from birth.

Standardization

The process of establishing norms and uniform procedures for administering and scoring a test.

Validity

The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

Construct validity

The degree to which a test accurately measures a theoretical construct or trait.

Predictive validity

The extent to which a test can predict future performance or behavior.

Reliability

The consistency of a test's results over time or across different populations.

Test-retest reliability

The degree to which test scores are consistent when the same test is administered to the same group on different occasions.

Split-half reliability

A measure of reliability obtained by correlating scores on two halves of a test.

Stereotype threat

The risk of confirming negative stereotypes about an individual's social group, which can affect performance.

Stereotype lift

The phenomenon where individuals perform better when they are reminded of positive stereotypes about their social group.

Flynn Effect

The observed rise in IQ scores over time across generations.

Achievement tests

Tests designed to measure knowledge and skills in specific subjects or areas.

Aptitude tests

Tests designed to measure a person's potential to succeed in a particular area or field.

Fixed mindset

The belief that abilities and intelligence are static and cannot be changed.

Growth mindset

The belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning.