AP PSYCH Intelligence

Prototype

The best example or mental image of a category (e.g., a robin is a 'prototype' bird).

Algorithm

A step-by-step logical rule or procedure that guarantees a solution (slow but accurate).

Heuristic

A simple thinking strategy or shortcut that allows quick judgments (fast but prone to error).

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and ignore contradictory evidence.

Belief Perseverance

Clinging to one's initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited.

Representativeness Heuristic

Judging the likelihood of things based on how well they match a prototype (e.g., assuming a quiet person is a librarian rather than a salesperson).

Availability Heuristic

Estimating the likelihood of events based on how easily they come to memory (e.g., fearing plane crashes more than car crashes because they are on the news).

Sunk-cost Fallacy

Continuing a behavior or endeavor as a result of previously invested resources (time, money, effort).

Gambler's Fallacy

The mistaken belief that if an event happens more frequently than normal during a given period, it will happen less frequently in the future (e.g., 'Red came up 5 times, Black must be next').

Framing

The way an issue is posed (e.g., '90% survival rate' vs. '10% death rate'); significantly affects decisions.

Fixation

The inability to see a problem from a new perspective.

Functional Fixedness

The tendency to think of things only in terms of their usual functions (e.g., not seeing a coin as a screwdriver).

Metacognition

Thinking about your own thinking; awareness of your own mental processes.

Factor Analysis

A statistical procedure that identifies clusters of related items on a test; used to identify different dimensions of performance.

Savant Syndrome

A condition where a person otherwise limited in mental ability has an exceptional specific skill (computation, drawing).

Creativity

The ability to produce novel and valuable ideas.

Stereotype Threat

A self-confirming concern that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype, causing performance to drop.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions.

Convergent Thinking

Narrowing available problem solutions to determine the single best solution (required for IQ tests).

Divergent Thinking

Expanding the number of possible problem solutions (creative thinking).

Modern View of Intelligence

Intelligence is likely a combination of general ability and specific skills, heavily influenced by both genetics and environment.

Flynn Effect

The worldwide rise in intelligence test scores over the last century.

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

Growth: Belief that intelligence can be developed. Fixed: Belief that intelligence is static/unchangeable.

Aptitude vs. Achievement Tests

Aptitude: Predicts future performance (e.g., SAT). Achievement: Assesses what has been learned (e.g., AP Exam).

Standardized Testing

Defining meaningful scores by comparison with the performance of a pretested group.

Test Reliability vs. Validity

Reliability: Consistency (Do you get the same score if you take it twice?). Validity: Accuracy (Does the test measure what it is supposed to measure?).

Intelligence Score Distribution

Scores fall on a Normal Curve (Bell Curve). Mean is 100; Standard Deviation is 15.

Heritability in Intelligence

The extent to which intelligence test score variation within a group can be attributed to genetic difference (usually estimated at 50-80%).

G-Factor (Charles Spearman)

A single 'General Intelligence' factor underlies all specific mental abilities.

Multiple Intelligences (Howard Gardner)

Intelligence is not one thing, but 8 distinct types: Linguistic, Logical-Math, Musical, Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Naturalist.

Triarchic Theory (Robert Sternberg)

Three types of intelligence: Analytical (Academic problem solving), Creative (Generating novel ideas), Practical (Street smarts/everyday tasks).

Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence (Cattell-Horn-Carroll)

Fluid: Ability to reason speedily and abstractly (decreases with age). Crystallized: Accumulated knowledge and verbal skills (increases with age).