psych ch 10 cognition, language, and intelligence

what is cognitive psychology?

studies higher mental processes like thinking, language, memory, problem solving, reasoning, and decision making

what is thinking?

brain activity in which we manipulate mental representations of information

what are mental images?

representations in the mind of an object or event

what are concepts?

mental groupings of similar objects, events, or people

what is a prototype?

the best or most typical example of an object

deductive reasoning

reasoning from general principles to specific conclusions

inductive reasoning

reasoning from specific observations to general conclusions

algorithm

rule or formula that guarantees a correct solution if applied properly

heuristic

a thinking shortcut that may lead to a solution but can also lead to errors

insight

sudden realization of relationships among previously unrelated elements of a problem

functional fixedness

the tendency to think of an object only in terms of its usual function

mental set

the tendency to approach problems in the same way based on past experience

confirmation bias

tendency to seek info that supports ones beliefs and ignore contradictory evidence

creativity

the ability to generate original ideas or solve problems in novel ways

divergent thinking

generating multiple, unusual, yet appropriate responses to problems (“thinking outside the box“)

convergent thinking

thinking that leads to one correct answer using logic and knowledge

define language

communication of info through symbols arranged according to rules

what is grammar?

system of rules determining how our thoughts can be expressed

what is phonology?

study of phonemes

what are phonemes?

smallest speech sounds that change meaning

what is syntax?

rules for combing words/phrases into sentences

what is semantics?

meaning of words and sentences

what is babbling?

speech-like but meaningless sounds made by infants (3m-1y)

what is telegraphic speech?

sentences where only essential words are used

what is overgeneralization?

when children apply grammar rules incorrectly

learning-theory approach

language is learned through reinforcement and conditioning

nativist approach (chomsky)

humans are biologically prewired to learn language; universal grammar exists

interactionist approach

language develops through both genetic predispositions and social interaction

can animals use language?

animals communicate but lack evidence of true language

define intelligence

capacity used to understand the world, think rationally, and use. resources effectively when faced with challenges

what is the g-factor?

a single, general factor thought to underlie all forms of intelligence

fluid intelligence

ability to reason abstractly, think logically, and solve new problems

crystallized intelligence

knowledge gained through experience and education

gardner’s 8 intelligences

linguistic, mathematical/logical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic

practical intelligence

intelligence related to everyday success and adapting to life

emotional intelligence

ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions effectively

what is an intelligence test?

test designed to measure a person’s level of intelligence

who delevoped the first iq test?

alfred binet

formula for iq

mental age/chronological age x 100

what are the wechsler tests?

WAIS-IV (adults) and WISC-V (children); commonly used IQ tests

what is reliability?

consistency of a test in measuring what its supposed to measure

what is validity?

degree to which a test measures what its supposed claims to measure

what are norms?

standards that allow comparison of one person’s score to others

intellectual disability

significant limitation in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior; begins before age 18

levels of intellectual disability

mild (55-59), moderate (40-54), severe (25-39), profound (<25)

what is mainstreaming?

integrating individuals with disabilities intro regular class forms part-time

what is full inclusion?

total integration of students with disabilities into regular classes

intellectually gifted

people with IQ’s >130; 2-4% of the population