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Chapter 3Thinking, Intelligence, and Language

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Cognitive Revolution in Psychology

Thinking

Intelligence

Language

Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Health and Wellness

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The Cognitive Revolution

cognition – how information is processed and manipulated when remembering, thinking, and knowing

1950s: psychology resumes focus on the mind and mental processes

computers: an analogy for the mind/brain

- artificial intelligence (AI)

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The Computer Analogy

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Thinking

concepts – mental categories used to group objects, events, and characteristics

Image(mental rep), symbol(words), concept(label for a class) and rule(relation)

prototype model – all instances of a concept are compared to a prototype (ideal example) of that concept

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Steps in Problem Solving

1. Find and frame problem

2. Develop good problem-solving strategies (subgoals, algorithms, heuristics)

3. Evaluate solutions

4. Rethink and redefine problems and solutions over time

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Problem-Solving Obstacles

fixation- using a prior strategy only

functional fixedness- fixated on usual functions

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Reasoning

mental activity of transforming information to reach conclusions

inductive reasoning- driven by data; bottom-up; specific

general

deductive reasoning- driven by logic; top-down; general specific

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Reasoning and Decision Making

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Decision Making

evaluating alternatives and making choices among them

attempting to maximize outcome

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Reasoning and Decision Making

System I – automatic

rapid, heuristic, intuitive

System II – controlled

slower, effortful, analytical

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Decision-Making Biases

Confirmation Bias search only for info that supports our ideas

Hindsight Bias report falsely that we predicted an outcome

Availability Heuristic predict probability based on ease of recall

Base-Rate Fallacy ignore info about general principles

Representativeness Heuristic make judgments based on stereotypes

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Critical Thinking

thinking reflectively and productively and evaluating the evidence

mindfulness – alert and mentally present

open-mindedness – receptive to new ways of looking at things

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Emotion and Cognition

moods influence the way we think

bad moods >> use careful logic to solve problems

good moods >> efficiency, originality, creativity, ignore irrelevant info

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Creative Thinking

Divergent versus Convergent Thinking

Characteristics of Creative Thinkers brainstorm flexibility and playful thinking inner motivation willingness to face risk objective evaluation of work

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Intelligence

What is intelligence?

definitions of intelligence reflect culture

U.S. – Spearman’s g

measuring intelligence

- validity

- reliability

- standardization

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Intelligence Tests: Criteria

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Intelligence Tests

Binet – Mental Age (MA)

Stern – Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

normal distribution

Stanford-Binet Test

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Intelligence: Normal Distribution

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Influences on Testing

Cultural Bias in Testing culture-fair tests (e.g., Raven Progressive Matrices)

Genetic Influences on Intelligence heritability increases with age

Environmental Influences on Intelligence Flynn effect

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The Flynn Effect

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Variations in Intelligence

Giftedness: usually IQ ≥ 130 Terman – socially well adjusted and

successful as adults importance of innate ability

Intellectual disability: usually IQ < 70 organic versus cultural-familial disabilities mild, moderate and severe/profound adaptive behavior deficits (conceptual,

social, practical)

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Theories of Multiple Intelligences

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory

analytical intelligence creative intelligence practical intelligence

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Theories of Multiple Intelligences

Gardner’s Frames of Mind

verbal mathematical

spatial bodily-kinesthetic

interpersonal intrapersonal

naturalist existentialist

musical

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http://bit.ly/o5PJBr

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Language

Language

form of spoken, written, or signed communication based on symbols

Infinite Generativity

ability to produce an endless number of meaningful sentences

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Structure of Language

Phonology - basic phonemes (sounds)

Morphology - rules for word formation

Syntax - rules for combining words to form phrases and sentences

Semantics - meaning of words and sentences

Pragmatics - use of language

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Language and Cognition

Can you think without using language?

Whorf’s linguistic relativity hypothesize

“language determines thought”

role of cognition in language

role of language in cognition

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Gender and Language

Gender Differences in Language

Are women more talkative?

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Influences on Language

Biological Influences language universals hemispheric specialization

Environmental Influences behavioral view (learned skill) language exposure (case of Genie)

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Development of Language

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Learning a Second Language as an Adult

Sensitive Periods in Language Learning

new sounds/accent and new grammar

new vocabulary

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Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Health and Wellness

Cognitive Appraisal and Coping

primary appraisal secondary appraisal cognitive reappraisal

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Chapter Summary

Describe cognitive psychology and discuss the role of the computer in the development of the field.

Explain the processes and human limitations in problem solving, reasoning, and decision making.

Describe intelligence and its measurement. Discuss influences on intelligence and types of

intelligence. Identify the connections between language and thought

and summarize how language is acquired and develops. Discuss the importance of cognitive appraisal with respect

to stress and describe various styles of coping.

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Chapter Summary

Cognitive Revolution

Thinking prototype model of concepts problem-solving steps and barriers reasoning and decision making

- inductive, deductive, and intuitive

- biases critical and creative thinking

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Chapter Summary

Intelligence IQ tests: measurement, Binet, normal curve influences on intelligence test scores extremes and types of intelligence

Language structure, development, and influences

Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Health and Wellness cognitive appraisal and coping strategies