Chapter 8Thinking, Intelligence, and Language
Chapter Preview Cognitive Revolution in Psychology Thinking Intelligence Language Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Health and Wellness
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)
The Computer Analogy
Thinking concepts – mental categories used to group objects, events, and characteristics prototype model – all instances of a concept are compared to a prototype (ideal example) of that concept
Steps in Problem Solving • Find and frame problem • Develop good problem-solving strategies (subgoals, algorithms, heuristics) • Evaluate solutions • Rethink and redefine problems and solutions over time
Problem-Solving Obstacles • fixation - using a prior strategy only • functional fixedness - fixated on usual functions
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
Reasoning and Decision Making
Decision Making • evaluating alternatives and making choices among them • attempting to maximize outcome
Reasoning and Decision Making System I – automatic • rapid, heuristic, intuitive System II – controlled • slower, effortful, analytical
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
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
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
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
Intelligence • What is intelligence? • definitions of intelligence reflect culture • U.S. – Spearman’s g • measuring intelligence - validity - reliability - standardization
Intelligence Tests: Criteria
Intelligence Tests • Binet – Mental Age (MA) • Stern – Intelligence Quotient (IQ) • normal distribution • Stanford-Binet Test
Intelligence: Normal Distribution
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
The Flynn Effect
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)
Theories of Multiple Intelligences Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory • analytical intelligence • creative intelligence • practical intelligence
Theories of Multiple Intelligences Gardner’s Frames of Mind verbal mathematical spatial bodily-kinesthetic interpersonal intrapersonal naturalist existentialist musical
Language Language form of spoken, written, or signed communication based on symbols Infinite Generativity ability to produce an endless number of meaningful sentences
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
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
Gender and Language Gender Differences in Language Are women more talkative?
Influences on Language Biological Influences • language universals • hemispheric specialization Environmental Influences • behavioral view (learned skill) • language exposure (case of Genie)
Development of Language
Learning a Second Language as an Adult Sensitive Periods in Language Learning • new sounds/accent and new grammar • new vocabulary
Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Health and Wellness Cognitive Appraisal and Coping • primary appraisal • secondary appraisal • cognitive reappraisal
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.
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
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
