Unit 2 Topic 2.2 - Thinking, Problem-Solving, Judgements and Decision-Making Flashcards
(17 cards)
Schema
Mental frameworks that organize our knowledge and expectations about a topic or an event
Prototype
the most typical or best example of a category or concept
Ex: when you saw fruit we think “Apple” not coconut
Assimilation (JEAN PIAGET)
new info, you don’t update the schema
Ex: a kid thinks that all desserts are cookies
Accommodation (JEAN PIAGET)
Updating a schema update to fit new information
Ex: you learn a skunk is another type of animal, it’s not a cat
Algorithms
A specific, step by step procedure used to solve a problem or arrive at a solution
Ex: to find a cold drink in a market you go aisle by aisle
Heuristics
A mental shortcut or “RULE OF THUMB” that individuals use to simplify complex decisions and problems
Representativeness
a mental shortcut or heuristic where people make judgments or decisions based on how well something matches a typical example or prototype in their minds, rather than on objective statistical information
Ex: thinking that because someone is wearing a suit and tie and carrying a briefcase, that they must be a lawyer, because they look like the stereotype of a lawyer
Availability
A cognitive bias where individuals estimate the probability or frequency of an event based on how easily they can recall examples of that event from their memory
Ex: If someone recently heard about a plane crash, they may overestimate the likelihood of their own flight being involved in an accident
Mental Set
Applying previously successful technique to solve a new problem
Priming
The unconscious influence prior stimuli on a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors
Ex:seeing the word “doctor” might lead to faster recognition of the word “nurse” later
Framing
The phenomenon where people’s decisions and perceptions are influenced by how information is processed
Ex: 50% off expensive items vs. full price of a cheap item
Executive Functions
glutting stuff done, organizing, planning, carrying out goals, etc
Divergent Thinking
Producing a wide range of ideas and solutions to a given problem
Convergent Thinking
Narrowing down a set of ideas to a single, optimal solution
Functional Fixedness
A cognitive bias where individuals tend to perceive objects only in their typical, intended use, hindering their ability to see alternative or creative uses
Ex: a tennis ball is only for tennis
Gambler’s Fallacy
a cognitive bias here people mistakenly believe that the outcome of a random event is influenced by the past events, even when those events are independent
Ex: someone might believe that if a coin lands on heads 4 times in a row, the next toss is more likely to land on tails.
Sunk-Cost Fallacy
Is a cognitive bias where someone continues investing resources in a project or decision even when it’s clear that it’s no longer beneficial, simply because they have already invested a significant amount
Ex: someone stays to watch a movie they hate because they’ve already paid for the ticket
