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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