PSYC 1 - Chapter 7: Thinking and Intelligence

Phoneme

A basic sound unit of a given language, and different languages have different sets of phonemes (ex: "ah" vs "eh")

Representative bias

A bias that is a faulty way of thinking, in which you unintentionally stereotype someone or something

Hindsight bias

A bias that leads you to believe that the event you just experienced was predictable, even though it really wasn't

anchoring bias

A bias that occurs when you focus on only one piece of information when making a decision or solving a problem.

Language

A communication system that involves using words and systematic rules to organize those words to transmit information from one individual to another.

artificial concept

A concept that is defined by a specific set of characteristics. Can enhance the understanding of a topic by building on one another

heuristic

A general problem-solving framework. Mental shortcuts that are used to solve problems. Saves time, but not always rational. (ex: Working backwards; breaking a task into steps)

availability heuristic

A heuristic in which you make a decision based on an example, information, or recent experience that is that readily available to you, even though it may not be the best example to inform your decision.

Working backwards

A heuristic where you begin solving the problem by focusing on the end result.

dysgraphia

A learning disability that results in a struggle to write legibly.

schema

A mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts. A method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. The brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.

problem-solving strategy

A plan of action used to find a solution. Different strategies have different action plans associated with them

algorithm

A problem-solving formula that provides you with step-by-step instructions used to achieve a desired outcome. (ex: Instruction manual for installing new software on your computer)

event schema (cognitive script)

A schema that is a set of behaviors that can feel like a routine. (ex: how you act when you get on an elevator). Automatic so hard to change.

role schema

A schema that makes assumptions about how individuals in certain roles will behave. Makes assumptions about how individuals in certain roles will behave.

intelligence quotient (IQ)

A score earned on a test designed to measure intelligence

trial and error

A strategy where you keep trying different problem-solving methods if you fail. (ex: Restarting phone, turning off WiFi, turning off bluetooth in order to determine why your phone is malfunctioning)

representative sample

A subset of the population that accurately represents the general population.

Functional fixedness

A type of mental set where you cannot perceive an object being used for something other than what it was designed for.

intrapersonal intelligence

Ability to access personal feelings and motivations, and use them to direct behavior and reach personal goals

spatial intelligence

Ability to perceive the relationship between objects and how they move in space

interpersonal intelligence

Ability to understand and be sensitive to the various emotional states of others

Concepts

Categories or groupings of linguistic information, images, ideas, or memories, such as life experiences. Big ideas that are generated by observing details, and categorizing and combining these details into cognitive structures.

Natural concepts

Concepts created "naturally" through your experiences and can be developed from either direct or indirect experiences. (ex: snow)

Standard deviations

Describe how data are dispersed in a population and give context to large data sets. The bell curve uses the this to show how all scores are dispersed from the average score

Standardization

For a test, the manner of administration, scoring, and interpretation of results is consistent.

Multiple Intelligences Theory

Gardner's theory of intelligence, where each person possesses at least eight intelligences. A person typically excels in some and falters in others

Norming

Giving a test to a large population so data can be collected comparing groups, such as age groups. The resulting data provide norms, or referential scores, by which to interpret future scores.

logical-mathematical intelligence

skills in problem solving, math, and scientific thinking

linguistic intelligence

skills involved in the production and use of language

prototype

the best example or representation of a concept.

Practical intelligence

"Street smarts". Intelligence where you find solutions that work in your everyday life by applying knowledge based on your experiences.

dyslexia

An inability to correctly process letters. May mix up letters within words and sentences or skip whole words while reading.

bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

High ability to control the movements of the body and use the body to perform various physical tasks

naturalist intelligence

High capacity to appreciate the natural world and interact with the species within it

Creative intelligence

Intelligence marked by inventing or imagining a solution to a problem or situation.

fluid intelligence

Intelligence that encompasses the ability to see complex relationships and solve problems. Helps you tackle complex, abstract challenges in your daily life

Crystallized intelligence

Intelligence that is characterized as acquired knowledge and the ability to retrieve it. Helps you overcome concrete, straightforward problems

Analytical intelligence

Intelligence that is closely aligned with academic problem solving and computations. Demonstrated by an ability to analyze, evaluate, judge, compare, and contrast.

Overgeneralization

Mistakes in understanding the specific rules that apply to the child's language(s).

Creativity

The ability to generate, create, or discover new ideas, solutions, and possibilities.

convergent thinking

The ability to provide a correct or well-established answer or solution to a problem

Emotional intelligence

The ability to understand the emotions of yourself and others, show empathy, understand social relationships and cues, and regulate your own emotions and respond in culturally appropriate ways

Cognitive psychology

The field of psychology dedicated to examining how people think. Explains how and why we think the way we do by studying the interactions among human thinking, emotion, creativity, language, and problem solving, in addition to other cognitive processes.

Semantics

The process by which we derive meaning from morphemes and words.

Grammar

The set of rules that are used to convey meaning through the use of the lexicon.

morphemes

The smallest units of language that convey some type of meaning (ex: "I")

confirmation bias

The tendency to focus on information that confirms your existing beliefs

Range of Reaction

The theory that each person responds to the environment in a unique way based on his or her genetic makeup. Your genetic potential is a fixed quantity, but whether you reach your full intellectual potential is dependent upon the environmental stimulation you experience, especially in childhood

Syntax

The way words are organized into sentences

Lexicon

The words of a given language (the vocabulary)

triarchic theory of intelligence

Theory of intelligence that sees intelligence as comprised of three parts (Sternberg, 1988): practical, creative, and analytical intelligence.

divergent thinking

Thinking "outside the box;" it allows an individual to arrive at unique, multiple solutions to a given problem

cognition

Thinking. Encompasses the processes associated with perception, knowledge, problem solving, judgment, language, and memory.

musical intelligence

Understands and appreciates rhythm, pitch, and tone; may play multiple instruments or perform as a vocalist

cultural intelligence

When you visit such a culture, how well you relate to the values of that culture

mental set

You persist in approaching a problem in a way that has worked in the past but is clearly not working now.