Unit 2 Part 1

Question 1

proximity

Answer 1

Grouping

Question 2

Convergent Thinking

Answer 2

narrow the available solutions to determine the best one

Question 3

Schemas

Answer 3

helps organize and interpret information

Question 4

Gambler’s Fallacy

Answer 4

belief that probability of an event will change after a series of outcomes

Question 5

Heuristics

Answer 5

simple thinking strategies (mental shortcuts) that allow us to solve problems/make judgments efficiently

Question 6

Sunk-Cost Fallacy

Answer 6

sticking to the original plan because you’ve already invested time (even though new plan would save time)

Question 7

retinal disparity

Answer 7

each retina receives slightly different image the brain “calculates” depth by comparing the image on each retina; greater disparity = closer the object (ex. 3D movies use same principle)

Question 8

Top-Down Processing

Answer 8

processing beginning with higher-level mental processes, like experience or expectations

Question 9

Relative Clarity

Answer 9

nearby objects appear sharp and clear, far objects appear hazy, blurry

Question 10

Memory

Answer 10

Information that has been acquired, stored, and can be retrieved

Question 11

Binocular Cues

Answer 11

depth perception that uses information transmitted to both eyes

Question 12

Creativity

Answer 12

the ability to generate novel (new) ideas

Question 13

Concepts

Answer 13

mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people

Question 14

Texture Gradient

Answer 14

closer view will reveal greater texture and detail

Question 15

Linear Perspective

Answer 15

sharper the angle of two lines meeting, greater perceived distance is; objects placed closer to convergence tend to be farther away

Question 16

Apparent Motion

Answer 16

ability to perceive motion when objects are not actually moving

Question 17

Visual Perceptual Constancies

Answer 17

Ability to perceive objects as unchanging even when retinal images change

Question 18

Priming

Answer 18

the activation of certain associations (will influence decision making)

Question 19

What are the Gestalt Principles?

Answer 19

Closure, similarity, figure-ground, proximity

Question 20

Schemas

Answer 20

conceptual frameworks for understanding our experiences; organizes and interprets information (like folders of information in our mind)

Question 21

Central Executive

Answer 21

coordinates focused processing (selective attention)

Question 22

Phonological Loop

Answer 22

briefly holds auditory information

Question 23

Monocular Cues

Answer 23

depth perception that uses information from a flat or two-dimensional surface (or far away images) to give the illusion of depth (works on either eye alone)

Question 24

Selective Attention

Answer 24

the focusing of conscious awareness on a particular stimulus

Question 25

perception

Answer 25

how we interpret environmental stimuli

Question 26

Multi-Store Model

Answer 26

information-processing model

Question 27

Interposition

Answer 27

objects that obstruct our view of other objects tend to be closer

Question 28

Attention

Answer 28

interaction of sensation and perception

Question 29

Executive Functioning

Answer 29

ability to generate, organize, plan, and carry-out goal-oriented behavior (critical thinking)

Question 30

Storing

Answer 30

retain the information in our brain

Question 31

Long-Term Potentiation

Answer 31

frequent activation increases strength of neural connections

Question 32

Similarity

Answer 32

Group objects based on how similar they are

Question 33

Representative Heuristics

Answer 33

using prior expectations/experience to make judgement or solve problem

Question 34

Grouping

Answer 34

group nearby figures together

Question 35

Cocktail Party Effect

Answer 35

the ability to pay attention to one voice at a time

Question 36

Mental Set

Answer 36

using prior experiences (esp successful ones) tendency to approach problem the same way that’s worked in the past

Question 37

Framing

Answer 37

the way an issue is presented

Question 38

Gestalt Psychology

Answer 38

perceptual tendencies for visual organization - humans group elements, recognize patterns, and simplify complex images to give meaning to sensations (can apply to other senses)

Question 39

Change Blindness

Answer 39

failing to notice changes in the environment (also applies to other senses: “change deafness”)

Question 40

Assimilation

Answer 40

taking in new information and fitting it into an existing schema

Question 41

Sensory Memory

Answer 41

the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system

Question 42

Visuospatial Sketchpad

Answer 42

briefly holds visual and spatial information

Question 43

Perceptual Set

Answer 43

mental predispositions (tendencies and assumptions) that influence what we perceive

Question 44

Closure

Answer 44

Fill in gaps to create complete object

Question 45

Availability Heuristic

Answer 45

judging an event based on the most vivid or first recalled example

Question 46

Relative Size

Answer 46

larger sized objects tend to be closer

Question 47

Functional Fixedness

Answer 47

inability to find creative solutions or see objects for uses other than your past experience tells you

Question 48

Encoding

Answer 48

get information into our brain

Question 49

Working Memory

Answer 49

newer understanding of short-term memory

Question 50

Retrieval

Answer 50

later get information back out from our brain

Question 51

Inattentional Blindness

Answer 51

failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere

Question 52

Figure-ground

Answer 52

Objects (figures) that stand out from their surrounding (ground/background)

Question 53

Long-Term Memory

Answer 53

the relative permanent and limitless archive of the memory system

Question 54

Algorithm

Answer 54

logistical, methodical, systematic step-by-step procedure for solving problems - attempt all problems until solution is found

Question 55

Divergent Thinking

Answer 55

expanding the number of possible solutions

Question 56

Accommodation

Answer 56

taking in new information and adjusting/adapting current schemas to incorporate it

Question 57

Bottom-Up Processing

Answer 57

processing beginning with sensory receptors (sensory systems detect lines, angles, colors, smells, tastes) work up to brain

Question 58

Prototypes

Answer 58

best example of a category (mental image we have)