Chapter 7: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts in thinking, problem solving, decision making, language development, and theories/measurement of intelligence from Chapter 7.

Concepts

Mental categories used to group objects, relations, events, abstractions, or qualities that have common properties.

Prototypes

Types of good examples of a specific concept.

Exemplars

Simple prototypes of a concept that can be positive and/or negative instances.

Overextension

The inclusion of instances in an incorrect or different category.

Thinking

The mental process of paying attention to information, forming mental representations, reasoning, and making judgments and decisions.

Cognition

Mental activity involved in understanding, processing, and communicating information.

Hierarchy of Concepts

The organization of mental concepts into broader categories and subordinate levels based on shared characteristics.

Algorithm

A systematic procedure for solving a problem that works when it is correctly applied.

Systematic Random Search

An algorithm for solving problems in which each possible solution is tested according to a particular set of rules.

Heuristics

Rules of thumb that help us simplify and solve problems efficiently based on past experience.

Means-End Analysis

A heuristic device in which a problem is solved by evaluating the difference between the current situation and the goal.

Analogy

A comparison between two things that appear to be similar, based on the assumption that what worked in one situation may work in a similar situation.

Mental Set

The tendency to use a problem-solving approach that was previously successful with a similar problem.

Insight

A sudden perception or awareness regarding the solution to a problem.

Incubation

Standing back from a problem briefly, during which the solution may arrive in a flash of insight.

Functional Fixedness

The tendency to think of an object only in terms of its familiar function.

Representativeness Heuristic

A decision-making shortcut where people make judgments about samples according to the populations they appear to represent.

Availability Heuristic

A decision-making shortcut where estimates of frequency or probability are based on how easily examples come to mind.

Anchoring and Adjustment Heuristic

A decision-making process where a first estimate serves as a cognitive anchor, and subsequent adjustments remain close to that anchor.

Framing Effect

The influence of wording or context in which information is presented on decision making.

Motivated Reasoning

The process of making decisions and judgments on the basis of emotion rather than an objective evaluation of evidence.

Semanticity

The quality of language in which words are used as symbols for objects, events, or ideas.

Infinite Creativity

The capacity to combine words into original, unique sentences.

Displacement

The quality of language that allows communication about objects or events in another time and place.

Linguistic-Relativity Hypothesis

The hypothesis proposed by Benjamin Whorf stating that language structures the way one perceives the world.

Holophrases

Single words used by young children to express complex meanings.

Telegraphic Speech

Two-word grammatically correct sentences that emerge during early language development.

Overregularization

The application of regular grammatical rules to irregular verbs and nouns, reflecting a child's expanding knowledge of grammar.

Psycholinguistic Theory

Noam Chomsky's theory that language acquisition involves an interaction of environmental influences and an inborn language acquisition device.

Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

An inborn neural tendency that prepares the human nervous system to learn grammar.

Intelligence

The underlying ability to understand the world and cope with its challenges.

General Intelligence (g)

Charles Spearman's concept of a common underlying general factor that accounts for broad intelligent behavior.

Specific Abilities (s)

Charles Spearman's concept representing specific capabilities in individual areas of intelligence.

Primary Mental Abilities

Louis Thurstone's term for the eight basic mental capabilities that make up intelligence, including numerical ability and word fluency.

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

Robert Sternberg's model proposing three distinct aspects of intelligence: analytical, creative, and practical.

Analytical Intelligence

The ability to solve problems, compare and contrast, judge, and evaluate, according to Sternberg.

Creative Intelligence

The ability to invent, discover, suppose, or theorize, according to Sternberg.

Practical Intelligence

The ability to adapt to environmental demands and apply knowledge in practical situations, according to Sternberg.

Convergent Thinking

Thought process limited to present facts that narrows thinking to find the single best solution to a problem.

Divergent Thinking

Thought process involving free association to problem elements to generate as many possible solutions as possible.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

A standard score reflecting the relationship between mental age ($MA$) and chronological age ($CA$), originally computed as $IQ = \frac{MA}{CA} \times 100$.

Deviation IQ

An intelligence score based on a comparison of an individual's test responses with those of people in the same age group.

Wechsler Performance Subtests

Non-verbal subtests on the Wechsler intelligence scale, including picture arrangement, picture completion, block design, and object assembly.

Distribution of IQ Scores

A bell-shaped normal curve showing the approximate percentage of the population falling into various IQ score ranges.

Flynn Effect

The substantial rise in average IQ scores across Western populations observed between 1947 and 2002.

Heredity and IQ Correlation

Research data showing that IQ correlations are higher among individuals with closer genetic relationships and those reared together.

Factors Affecting Intellectual Functioning

The complex interaction of genetic factors, environmental stimulation, health, socioeconomic status, and personal motivation on intelligence.