Thinking

1
Thinking

• Module 23 Thinking and Language

2
Cognitive Abilities

• All the mental activities associated with
  thinking, knowing and remembering

3
Thinking Concepts

• Module 23 Thinking and Language

4
Concept

• A mental grouping based on shared similarity
• Categorizing items in ones environment

5
Prototype

• A typical best example incorporating the major
  features of a concept
• The closer a new object is to our concept
  prototype the easier it is to categorize it

6
Concept Hierarchy

• A means to keep mental information organized from
  basic concepts to specific ones

7
Concept Hierarchy
8
ThinkingProblem Solving

• Module 23 Thinking and Language

9
Algorithms

• A problem solving strategy that guarantees the
  solution to the problem
• Not always the most efficient method

10
Heuristics

• A rule-of-thumb problem solving strategy that
  makes a solution more likely and efficient but
  does not guarantee a solution
• These can be handy shortcuts, or they can get us
  into trouble

11
Insight

• The sudden realization of the solution to a
  problem

12
ThinkingProblems Solving Problems

• Module 23 Thinking and Language

13
Mental Set

• A tendency to approach a problem in a particular
  way
• The set may or may not be helpful in solving a
  new problem

14
Fixation

• A mental set that hinders the solution of a
  problem
• One needs to think beyond the mental set to solve
  the new problem

15
Confirmation Bias

• The tendency to focus on information that
  supports ones preconceptions

16
Availability Heuristic

• Uses information from our memory to judge the
  likelihood of events
• Can be correct or incorrect

17
Overconfidence

• The tendency to be more confident than correct
  when estimating the accuracy of ones beliefs and
  judgments

18
Framing

• The way an issue is worded or presented
• Can influence decisions and judgments

19
Belief Perseverance

• Clinging to ones initial beliefs even after new
  information discredits the basis on which they
  were formed