AP Psych 2.2-2.7

Prototype

An ideal example of a concept, such as an apple for the concept of 'fruits'.

Assimilation

Interpreting new experiences in terms of prior schema.

Accommodation

Interpreting new experiences by changing existing schemas and concepts.

Algorithm

A strategy that guarantees a solution by running through every possible option.

Heuristic

A strategy based on experience that is faster and more efficient but does not guarantee a solution.

Representative heuristic

A mental shortcut used to judge if something belongs to a class based on its similarity to that class.

Availability heuristic

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

Mental set

The tendency to use a specific, known way of problem-solving when it may not be the best strategy.

Fixation

A preoccupation with a single idea or impulse.

Priming

Exposure to one stimulus influences the interpretation of another.

Framing

The way information is presented that can influence perception and judgment.

Gambler's Fallacy

The mistaken belief that past events can influence the probability of future independent events.

Sunk Cost Fallacy

The tendency to continue an action based on the time, money, or effort already invested.

Executive functions

Cognitive processes that help in generating, organizing, planning, and carrying out behavior aimed towards a goal.

Divergent thinking

The ability to look at a problem in multiple ways and form multiple solutions.

Convergent thinking

Analyzing different problems and using pre-existing solutions to find a correct solution.

Functional fixedness

The inability to consider a new function for an item.

Encoding

The process of converting information into a form that can be stored in memory.

Storage

The maintenance of encoded information over time.

Retrieval

The process of recalling stored information from memory.

Automatic processing

Memory processing that occurs without conscious effort.

Effortful processing

Memory processing that requires deliberate effort and attention.

Sensory memory

The initial storage of information perceived from the senses.

Short-term memory

A temporary storage system with limited capacity for recalling information.

Long-term memory

A system for storing information over extended periods, potentially indefinitely.

Working memory

A type of short-term memory used for cognitive tasks like reasoning and comprehension.

Retrieval cue

A stimulus that helps to access a stored memory.

Long-term potentiation

The strengthening of synapses to enhance the ability to recall and process information.

Explicit memory

Memory that requires a cue to recall.

Episodic memory

Memory of personal experiences or specific events in life.

Implicit memory

Memory in which existence is implied, such as muscle memory.

Mnemonic device

Memory aids that use associations to help recall information.

Chunking

Dividing information into smaller, manageable units to help with memory storage.

Spacing effect

Improved recall of information when study sessions are spaced out over time.

Serial position effect

The tendency to remember the first and last items in a list better than the middle items.

Maintenance rehearsal

Repetitive verbalizing or thinking of information to keep it in short-term memory.

Elaborative rehearsal

Connecting new information to existing knowledge to enhance long-term storage.

Amnesia

Memory loss that can be temporary or permanent.

Anterograde amnesia

Inability to form new memories after a brain injury.

Retrograde amnesia

Inability to recall memories formed prior to a brain injury.

Recall

Retrieving information without cues, requiring more cognitive effort.

Retrieval

Identifying or recognizing information that has been encoded.

Context-dependent memory

Improved recall when the context during retrieval matches the context during encoding.

State-dependent memory

Higher recall ability when the emotional state during retrieval matches that during encoding.

Mood-dependent memory

Recall ability influenced by the mood at retrieval being similar to when it was encoded.

Forgetting curve

The pattern in which memory retention decreases over time without active review.

Interference

The hindrance of memory recall when other memories impair retrieval.

Proactive interference

Difficulty learning new information due to already existing memory.

Retroactive interference

Difficulty recalling old information due to new learning.

Repression

Defense mechanism of blocking out painful memories or feelings.

Misinformation effect

Incorporating misleading information into one's memory.

Source amnesia

Recalling information but forgetting the context in which it was learned.