2.2 AP Psychology

Prototypes

The best or most typical example of a mental category or concept

Schemas

Framework to understand stuff

Assimilation

To fit in, adapt with the others

Accomodation

To change (C-Accomodation)

Algorithms

A guaranteed way to get an answer

Heuristics

Strategy to solve problems, “short cut”

Representativeness Heuristic

Judgements based on stereotypes (perceptual set)

Availability Heuristic

Overestimating the probability of something based on recent memories

Mental Set

When you only look at things one way and can’t think of it in another way

Functional Fixedness

Can’t think of another use for something

Priming

Exposure to one stimulus triggers related thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

Framing

The way that an issue, question, or choice is presented that can influence someone’s thinking

Gambler’s Fallacy

Cognitive bias that past random events influence the probability of future outcomes

Cognitive Bias

Error in thinking when our brain tries to simplify complex information using heuristics to make fast judgements; however, it can skew judgement, perception, and memory.

Sunk-cost Fallacy

Cognitive bias when someone continues something because they’ve already put money, time, and effort into it.

Creativity

Ability to make things up and imagine fictional events. Includes routine problem solving, novel ideas, sudden problem solving, and artistic expression.

Divergent Thinking

Cognitive process where someone comes up with unique and creative solutions to a simple problem.

Convergent Thinking

Narrowing down ideas, solutions, or data to find the best possible answer.