Untitled Flashcards Set

Cognition

Mental processes involved in gaining knowledge, understanding, and thinking.

Metacognition

Thinking about your own thinking, like being aware of how you learn or solve problems.

Concept

A general idea or category for similar things or ideas.

Prototype

The most typical example of a concept.

Schema

A mental framework for organizing and interpreting information.

Assimilation

Taking in new information without changing your schema.

Accommodation

Adjusting your schema to include new information.

Executive functions

Brain processes that help with planning, organizing, and achieving goals.

Algorithm

A step-by-step method for solving problems that always gives the correct answer.

Heuristic

A shortcut or rule of thumb for solving problems quickly but not always accurately.

Representative Heuristic

Judging something based on how similar it is to a stereotype.

Availability Heuristic

Judging something based on examples that come to mind easily.

Mental Set

Using solutions that worked in the past without trying new ones.

Priming

Exposure to something that influences your decisions or actions later.

Framing

The way information is presented affects decisions.

Nudge

A small change in how choices are presented to influence decisions.

Gambler's fallacy

Believing that past events affect future random outcomes.

Sunk-cost fallacy

Continuing a decision due to already invested time or money.

Functional fixedness

Seeing objects only for their intended use.

Insight

A sudden realization of the solution to a problem.

Confirmation Bias

Focusing on information that supports your beliefs.

Fixation

Being stuck on one way of solving a problem.

Intuition

Making decisions based on gut feelings instead of logic.

Overconfidence

Overestimating your knowledge or abilities.

Belief perseverance

Sticking to your beliefs even when proven wrong.

Creativity

Thinking of new and original ideas.

Divergent Thinking

Generating multiple solutions to a problem.

Convergent Thinking

Narrowing down multiple ideas to find the best solution.

Intelligence

The ability to learn, understand, and solve problems.

General Intelligence (g)

A single underlying ability that influences performance across all tasks.

Factor Analysis

A statistical method to identify related abilities or skills.

Fluid Intelligence (Gf)

The ability to think quickly and solve new problems without relying on past knowledge.

Crystallized Intelligence (Gc)

Knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education.

Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory

A theory combining fluid and crystallized intelligence with multiple cognitive abilities.

Multiple Intelligences

A theory suggesting intelligence includes many abilities like musical, spatial, or interpersonal skills.

Savant Syndrome

When a person with mental disabilities has an exceptional skill in one area.

Grit

Perseverance and passion for long-term goals.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to understand and manage your emotions and those of others.

Stanford-Binet

One of the first intelligence tests, measuring reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

A score that measures a person’s mental abilities compared to others.

Mental Age

The age level at which someone performs on an intelligence test.

Wechsler-Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

A widely used test for measuring adult intelligence, focusing on verbal and performance skills.

Psychometrics

The field of study focused on measuring psychological traits, like intelligence.

Standardization

Ensuring a test is consistent and fair for everyone who takes it.

Normal Curve

A bell-shaped graph showing how traits like intelligence are distributed in a population.

Valid

A test measures what it’s supposed to measure.

Content Validity

The test covers all the important parts of what it’s supposed to measure.

Construct Validity

The test measures the concept it claims to measure.

Predictive Validity

The test predicts future performance or behavior.

Reliable

A test gives consistent results over time.

Test-Retest Reliability

Getting the same results when retaking a test.

Split-half Reliability

Consistency in a test when comparing two halves of the questions.

Stereotype threat

Anxiety about confirming a negative stereotype can affect performance.

Stereotype lift

Performing better because of a positive stereotype.

Flynn effect

The rise in average IQ scores over generations due to societal improvements.

Cross-sectional study

A study comparing different groups at the same time.

Longitudinal study

A study observing the same group over a long period.

Cohort

A group of people studied or sharing a characteristic.

Achievement Tests

Tests measuring knowledge or skills in a specific subject.

Aptitude Tests

Tests predicting future performance or ability.

Fixed Mindset

Belief that intelligence and abilities are unchangeable.

Growth Mindset

Belief that intelligence and abilities can develop with effort.