06 Cognition and Intelligence Free Online FlashCards

What does cognition include?

Cognition is the set of mental processes used to acquire and use information, including thinking, language, reasoning, problem solving, and judgment.

What is a concept?

A concept is a mental category for organizing objects, events, or ideas.

How do phonemes differ from morphemes?

Phonemes are sound units; morphemes are the smallest units that carry meaning.

How does an algorithm differ from a heuristic?

An algorithm is a systematic sequence of steps that can produce a solution when correctly applied. A heuristic is a practical shortcut that saves time but does not guarantee the best answer.

How do mental set and functional fixedness differ?

A mental set is persisting with a familiar approach after it stops working. Functional fixedness is seeing an object only in terms of its usual purpose.

What is the availability heuristic?

The availability heuristic is judging how likely something is by how easily examples come to mind. A vivid story can make a rare event seem common.

How do fluid and crystallized intelligence differ?

Fluid intelligence involves reasoning through unfamiliar problems; crystallized intelligence draws on learned knowledge.

What is an important limit of intelligence test scores?

Intelligence tests sample particular cognitive tasks, so their scores are estimates based on test performance—not complete measures of a person's abilities, potential, or worth.

What is a prototype?

A prototype is a typical or especially representative example of a concept.

What do schemas do, and what is one risk?

Schemas are organized networks of related knowledge that help people interpret situations quickly. They can also lead people to fill gaps with inaccurate assumptions.

How do semantics and syntax differ?

Semantics concerns meaning, while syntax governs how words are arranged into sentences.

What is the representativeness heuristic?

The representativeness heuristic is judging by resemblance to a category or stereotype while overlooking relevant base rates.