IB Psychology - The Cognitive Approach Glossary

Fill-in-the-blank practice cards covering key vocabulary and concepts for IB Psychology: The Cognitive Approach, including anchoring bias, classical conditioning, cognitive load theory, dual processing theory, operant conditioning, and schema theory.

An initial piece of information that influences subsequent judgements is known as an __________.

anchor

A mental shortcut used to simplify decision-making is defined as a __________.

heuristic

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning is called an __________.

unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association, triggers a learned response is a __________.

conditioned stimulus (CS)

A learned response to the conditioned stimulus is defined as a __________.

conditioned response (CR)

A limited-capacity system used for processing information is called __________.

working memory

The complexity inherent in the material being learned is known as __________.

intrinsic load

Cognitive load caused by poor instructional design is called __________.

extraneous load

The idea that the mind processes information in stages is termed __________.

information processing

Focusing on information that supports existing beliefs is known as __________.

selective attention

Maintaining beliefs even when faced with contradictory evidence is defined as __________.

belief perseverance

Fast, automatic, and intuitive processing is referred to as __________.

System 1 thinking

Slow, deliberate, and analytical processing is referred to as __________.

System 2 thinking

The mental energy required for controlled processing is called __________.

cognitive effort

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behaviour is defined as __________.

reinforcement

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour is known as __________.

punishment

Gradually reinforcing behaviours that approximate a desired behaviour is known as __________.

shaping

A mental framework that organises knowledge and guides understanding is called a __________.

schema

Interpreting new information using existing schemas is called __________.

assimilation

Modifying schemas in response to new information is known as __________.

accommodation