Chapter 7: Thinking and Intelligence
Functional fixedness
a type of mental set where you cannot perceive an object being used for something other than what it was designed for
Creativity
ability to generate, create, or discover new ideas, solutions, and possibilities
Convergent thinking
ability to provide a correct or well-established answer or solution to a problem
Concepts
categories or groupings of linguistic information, images, ideas, or memories, such as life experiences -informed by our semantic memory and are present in every aspect of our life
Crystallized intelligence
characterized as acquired knowledge and the ability to retrieve it -when you learn, remember, and recall info
Event Schema
cognitive script -set of behaviors that can feel like a routine Ex. Getting into an elevator
Heuristic
general problem-solving framework, working backwards; breaking a task into steps
Heritability
genetic component to intelligence
Cognition
is thinking, and it encompasses the processes associated with perception, knowledge, problem solving, judgment, language, and memory
Role schema
makes assumptions about how individuals in certain roles will behave
Algorithm
step by step problem-solving forula
Dysgraphia
struggle to write legibly
Cognitive psychology
the field of psychology dedicated to examining how people think
Confirmation bias
the tendency to focus on information that confirms your existing beliefs
Range of reaction
theory that each person responds to the environment in a unique way based on his or her genetic makeup
Divergent thinking
thinking "outside the box"
Mental set
where you persist in approaching a problem in a way that has worked in the past but is clearly not working
Triarchic theory of intelligence
Analytical intelligence: academic problem solving and computation Creative intelligence: imaginative and innovative problem solving Practical intelligence: street smarts and common sense
Artificial concepts
a concept that is defined by a specific set of characteristics -various properties of geometric shapes
Problem-Solving strategy
plan of action used to find a solution
Prototype
best example or representation of a concept Ex. Civil disobedience: prototype would be Rosa Parks
Trial and error
continue trying different solutions until problem is solved
Natural concepts
created "naturally" through your experiences and can be developed from either direct or indirect experiences
Multiple Intelligences Theory
each person possesses at least 8 intelligences
Fluid intelligence
encompasses the ability to see complex relationships and solve problems
Dyslexia
exhibits an inability to correctly process letters
Schema
mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts
Anchoring bias
occurs when you focus on one piece of information when making a decision or solving a problem
