Psychology class 15- How Your Mind Can Amaze and Betray You

algorithms are slow but guaranteed to work; heuristics are best guesses but may be error prone, answers will vary per student for the examples

1. How do algorithms differ from heuristics? a. Example of a time you've used an algorithm: b. Example of a time you've used a heuristic:

mental grouping, pinnacle example

A concept is a ___________________ of similar objects, people, ideas, or events. A prototype is the mental image or ___________________________ of the concept.

some people still think the earth is flat despite pictures of space

Belief Perseverance is the tendency to cling to initial conceptions or beliefs despite proof to the contrary. What example does Hank Green use to demonstrate this?

Thoughts, perspectives, expectations

Cognition is defined as our ____________, ______________, and _________________.

answers will vary per student

Framing is the idea that how an issue is posed or presented can significantly affect decisions and judgments. What is an example of time you've used framing to your advantage in some way? (think of requests to parents, trying to convince someone of something, etc.)

blinking/flashing lights of a successful slot machine pull make those few examples more memorable than the many examples of unmemorable losing; therefore people believe they will win more than they actually do

The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut relying on psychologically salient or easily imagined examples rather than actual odds or factual information. How does Hank Green exemplify this concept? (he gives the example BEFORE the definition, not after)