Lecture #8: Thinking & Intelligence (Chapters 9-10)

Cognition

The mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

Psychological processes involved in cognition

Perception, attention, memory, reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, and language comprehension.

Problem solving

The process of identifying solutions to specific issues or challenges.

Strategies for problem solving

Breaking the problem down into smaller parts, using algorithms or heuristics, brainstorming, and evaluating options.

Obstacles to problem solving

Cognitive biases, limited knowledge, emotional barriers, and lack of resources or time.

Confirmation bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s pre-existing beliefs.

How to avoid confirmation bias

Seek out diverse perspectives, critically evaluate evidence, and challenge assumptions.

Mental set

The tendency to approach problems in a certain way based on previous experiences that may limit problem-solving effectiveness.

Fixation

An inability to view a problem from a new perspective, leading to ineffective problem-solving.

Intuition

The ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning.

How intuition helps in problem solving

Allows quick decision-making based on emotional responses or prior experiences.

Overconfidence error

The tendency for individuals to overestimate their own abilities, knowledge, or predictions.

Belief perseverance

The tendency to cling to initial beliefs even when confronted with contrary evidence.

How to overcome belief perseverance

Actively seek and consider opposing viewpoints and engage in critical thinking.

Difference between confirmation bias & belief perseverance

Confirmation bias involves favoring confirming information, while belief perseverance is maintaining beliefs despite contrary evidence.

Do animals think?

Yes, many animals exhibit thought processes, cultural elements, and socio-cognitive skills, such as tool use in primates.

Intelligence

The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills, requiring cognitive processing, learning from experience, and adaptability.

Spearman's Theory of Intelligence

Proposes a general intelligence (g) factor underlying all mental abilities.

Thurstone's Theory of Intelligence

Suggests multiple intelligence factors, such as verbal comprehension and spatial ability.

Sternberg's Triarchic Theory

Divides intelligence into analytical, creative, and practical components.

Gardner's 8 Frames of Mind

Proposes eight distinct types of intelligence, including linguistic and interpersonal.

How IQ is determined

Through standardized testing assessing various cognitive abilities relative to the general population.

What is a person's mental age?

A measure of an individual's intellectual development compared to the average performance of peers.

Normal distribution

A symmetric probability distribution about the mean, with data near the mean being more frequent than far data.

Mean IQ

Generally set to 100, with the majority of the population falling within a range of 85 to 115.