Thinking & Problem Solving

Concepts

Mental representations or ideas that capture the essence of objects, events, or categories, aiding in understanding and problem-solving.

Prototypes

Mental images or best examples of a concept, helping to categorize and identify items or ideas within that category.

Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures or formulas for solving problems that guarantee a correct solution if followed correctly.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision-making and problem-solving, often leading to quick solutions but not always accurate.

Representative Heuristic

A cognitive strategy used when making judgments about the probability of an event, based on how similar it is to a prototype, often leading to biases.

Availability Heuristic

A mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to mind when evaluating a specific topic, concept, method, or decision, which can influence perceived likelihood.

Metacognition

The awareness and regulation of one's own thinking processes, including the ability to monitor, control, and plan one's own learning and problem-solving strategies.

Mental Set

A cognitive framework that influences how one approaches problems based on previous experiences and knowledge, often leading to a fixation on certain methods.

Functional Fixedness

A cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used, hindering problem-solving and creativity.

Sunk Cost Fallacy

The tendency to continue an endeavor once an investment in money, effort, or time has been made, despite new evidence suggesting that the cost outweighs any potential benefits.

Gambler’s Fallacy

The belief that future probabilities are altered by past events, particularly in games of chance, leading to the mistaken assumption that a certain outcome is "due."

Divergent Thinking

A thought process used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions, often characterized by spontaneity and flexibility.

Convergent Thinking

The cognitive process of generating the most effective solution to a problem by narrowing down the multiple possibilities into a single answer or idea.

Executive functioning

A set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully.