Chapter 6

Question 1

computer metaphor

Answer 1

the idea that the brain is an information processing system like a computer

Question 2

concepts

Answer 2

mental groupings of similar objects, ideas, or experiences

Question 3

natural concepts

Answer 3

mental representations of objects and events drawn from our own experiences

Question 4

prototype

Answer 4

an ideal or most representative example of a conceptual category

Question 5

artificial concepts

Answer 5

concepts defined by rules, such as word definitions and mathematical formulas

Question 6

concept hierarchies

Answer 6

levels of concepts, from the most general to the most specific, in which a more general level includes more specific concepts…the concept of animal includes dog, giraffe, and butterfly

Question 7

intuition

Answer 7

the ability to make judgments without consciously reasoning

Question 8

script

Answer 8

a cluster of knowledge about sequences of events and actions expected to occur in a particular setting

Question 9

algorithms

Answer 9

problem-solving procedures and formulas that guarantee a correct outcome, if properly applied

Question 10

heuristics

Answer 10

cognitive strategies or “rules of thumb” used as shortcuts to solve problems, these are not guaranteed

Question 11

mental set

Answer 11

the tendency to respond to a new problem in a manner used for a previous problem

Question 12

functional fixedness

Answer 12

the inability to perceive a new use for an object associated with a different purpose

Question 13

hindsight bias

Answer 13

the tendency, after learning about an event, to “second guess” or believe that one could have predicted the event in advance

Question 14

anchoring bias

Answer 14

a faulty heuristic caused by basing an estimate on a completely irrelevant quality

Question 15

representativeness bias

Answer 15

a faulty heuristic strategy based on the assumption that, once people or events are categorized, that they all share the same features as other members of that category

Question 16

base rate information

Answer 16

the probability of a characteristic appearing in the general population

Question 17

availability bias

Answer 17

a faulty heuristic strategy that eliminates probabilities based on the availability of vivid mental images of an event

Question 18

tyranny of choice

Answer 18

the impairment of effective decision making when confronted with an overwhelming number of choices

Question 19

creativity

Answer 19

a mental process that produces novel responses that contribute to the solution of problems

Question 20

experts

Answer 20

individuals that possess well organized funds of knowledge, including effective problem solving strategies in a field

Question 21

aptitudes

Answer 21

innate potentialities

Question 22

intelligence

Answer 22

the mental capacity to acquire knowledge, reason, and to solve problems effectively

Question 23

mental age (MA)

Answer 23

the average age in which the average person reaches that score

Question 24

chronological age (CA)

Answer 24

age since birth

Question 25

intelligence quotient

Answer 25

a numerical score on an intelligence test, originally computed by dividing mental age from chronological age and then multiplying by 100

Question 26

normal distribution (normal curve)

Answer 26

a bell-shaped curve describing the spread of characteristics through a population

Question 27

normal range

Answer 27

scores falling around the middle of normal distribution (between 90-110), about 50% of the population

Question 28

mental retardation

Answer 28

described as about 30 IQ points below average (70 or lower), now social functioning and abilities are also factored in (about 2% of the population)

Question 29

giftedness

Answer 29

described as about 30 IQ points above average (130 or above), also about 2% of the population

Question 30

savant syndrome

Answer 30

having a remarkable talent in one area while being mentally slow in other areas

Question 31

g factor

Answer 31

a general ability, proposed by Spearman, as the main factor underlying all intelligent mental activity

Question 32

crystallized intelligence

Answer 32

the knowledge a person has acquired and the ability to access that knowledge

Question 33

fluid intelligence

Answer 33

the ability to see complex relationships and solve problems

Question 34

practical intelligence

Answer 34

Sternberg’s idea about the ability to cope with the environment, “street smarts”

Question 35

analytical intelligence

Answer 35

Sternberg’s idea dealing with the ability to analyze problems and come up with the right answers, measured by most IQ tests

Question 36

creative intelligence

Answer 36

Sternberg’s idea, about seeing new relationships among concepts, involves insight and creativity

Question 37

triarchic theory

Answer 37

the term for Sternberg’s theory of intelligence, because it contains 3 forms, practical, analytical, and creative

Question 38

wisdom

Answer 38

Sternberg’s idea of using intelligence for the common good instead of for selfish pursuits

Question 39

multiple intelligence

Answer 39

referring to Gardner’s theory on the idea of 8 or more forms of intelligence

Question 40

theory of mind

Answer 40

an awareness that other people’s behavior may be influenced by beliefs, desires, and emotions that differ from one’s own

Question 41

self-fulfilling prophecy

Answer 41

observations or behaviors that result primarily from expectation

Question 42

heritability

Answer 42

the amount of trait variation within a group raised under the same conditions that could be attributed to genetic differences. Heritability tells us nothing of between-group differences

Question 43

stereotype threat

Answer 43

an expectation of being judged by the standard of a negative stereotype. Such expectations can adversely affect performance