thinking and language
Compare and contrast algorithms and heuristics.
Both are general approaches to problem-solving. Heuristics are rules of thumb that help us solve problems, although not always. An algorithm, however, is a specific procedure that will always solve a problem.
Describe the two main types of reasoning?
Deductive reasoning begins with a general statement or principle and reasons down to specifics. In inductive reasoning, we go from particular facts or individual cases to reach a general conclusion.
What is language? Why is language important to humans?
Language is the communication of ideas through symbols that are arranged according to rules of grammar. Language is important because it makes the sharing of knowledge possible.
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of using algorithms?
The main advantage to using an algorithm is that, if used correctly, it always leads to the solution of the problem. The main disadvantage of this method is that the procedures are sometimes complex and time-consuming.
What is a concept?
a group of objects, events, or ideas with similar characteristics
What choice below is a general approach to solving problems?
algorithm
___________ are specific procedures used to solve a problem.
algorithms
What can functional fixedness become?
an obstacle to solving a problem
a similarity between two or more events, items, or situations
analogy
In which decision-making method do people make decisions based on ideas or standards that they believe in?
anchoring heuristic
making decisions on the basics of information drawn from the immediate consciousness
availability heuristics
How can a balance sheet help solve a problem?
by helping a person visualize the best course of action
After scientists collect information to support a theory, they
can still never be sure that it is true in all cases
thinking involves mentally grouping similar objects, events, and ideas into
concepts
_______ is another term for directed thinking.
convergent thinking
With what type of reasoning do people begin with a general statement and go down to specifics?
deductive
In ____________________ if the basic statements leading to the conclusion are true, then the conclusion is also true.
deductive reasoning
problem-solving method that identifies goals and the steps needed to reach them
difference reduction
______ is another term for non-directed thinking.
divergent thinking
tendency to think of an object as being used only for its usual purpose.
functional fixedness
The word order in a language is its
grammar
rule of thumb, or shortcut, used to solve a problem
heuristic
People organize concepts in ____________, series of levels that go from broad to narrow.
hierarchies
allows a person to solve a problem without consciously working on it
incubation effect
going from individual cases to reach a general conclusion
inductive reasoning
The beginning of true language in babies occurs when they start
learning words
The act of planning, evaluating, and monitoring mental activities is known as
metacognition
A basic fact that gives information for drawing conclusions is called a/an
premise
What provides the basic information that allows us to draw conclusions?
premise
A/An __________ is an example of a concept that best exemplifies the characteristics of that concept.
prototype
using information to reach conclusions
reasoning
making decisions according to the population that a sample appears to represent
representativeness heuristic
Creative thinkers often do not do well on __________ tests.
standardized
________, which are objects or acts that stand for something else, enable us to think about things that are not present.
symbols
When people use the representativeness heuristic, what is their decision based on?
the population that the sample appears to represent
________ is the mental activity that is involved in the understanding, processing, and communicating of information.
thinking
How do people organize concepts?
using letters and words
