Chapter 10 Vocab

Affect Heuristic- A rule of thumb in which we choose between alternatives based

on emotional or “gut” reactions to stimuli
Algorithm- A precise, step-by-step set of rules that will reliably generate a
solution to a problem
Aphasia- The loss of the ability to speak or understand language
Availability Heuristic- A rule of thumb in which the frequency of an event’s
occurrence is predicted by the ease with which the event is brought to mind
Bilingual- Proficient in two languages
Cognition- Internal mental processes including information processing, thinking,
reasoning, and problem solving
Concept- An organizing principle derived from experience
Crystallized Intelligence- The ability to think logically using specific learned
knowledge
Exemplary- A specific member of a category used to represent the category
Fluid Intelligence- The ability to think logically without the need to use learned
knowledge
Functional Fixedness- A possible barrier to successful problem solving in which a
concept is considered only in its most typical form
General Intelligence (G)- A measure of an individual’s overall intelligence as
opposed to specific abilities
Giftedness- An extreme of intelligence defined as having an IQ score of 130 or
above
Heuristic- A shortcut to problem solving; also known as a rule of thumb
Intellectual Disability- A condition diagnosed in individuals with IQ scores below
70 and poor adaptive behaviors; also known as mental retardation
Intelligence Quotient (IQ)- A measure of individual intelligence relative to a
statistically normal curve
Intelligence- The ability to understand complex ideas, adapt effectively to the
environment, learn from experience, engage in reasoning, and overcome obstacles
Language- A system for communicating thoughts and feelings using arbitrary
signals
Morpheme- The smallest component of speech that carries meaning
Phoneme- A speech sound
Problem- A situation in which a current state is separated from an ideal state by
obstacles
Problem Solving- The use of information to meet a specific goal
Prototype- A representation of a category formed by averaging all members of the
category
Recognition Heuristic- A rule of thumb in which a higher value is placed on the
more easily recognized alternative
Representativeness Heuristic- A rule of thumb in which stimuli similar to a
prototype are believed to be more likely than stimuli that are dissimilar to a
prototype