PSY200 Cognition/Thinking - Exam 2

Cognition

Thinking

What cognition includes

- Perception

- Learning

- Judgement

- Memory

- Problem Solving

Concept

category or grouping of linguistic information, objects, ideas, or life experiences

Prototype

best representation of a concept

Trial and Error

problem-solving strategy in which multiple solutions are attempted until the correct one is found

Algorithm

a slow problem-solving strategy characterized by a specific set of instructions

Heuristic

a fast but error-prone mental shortcut to solve problems

Mental set

continually using an old solution to a problem without results

functional fixedness

mental set in which one can only see an object's intended use

Confirmation bias

tendency to focus on information that confirms your existing beliefs

hindsight bias

belief that the event just experienced was predictable, even though it really wasn't

availability heuristic

faulty heuristic in which you make a decision based on information readily available to you

Cognitive psychology

field of psychology dedicated to examining how people think.

problem-solving strategies

1. Trial and Error

2. Algorithms

3. Heuristics