Thinking, Problem-Solving, Judgments, and Decision-Making
Elijah Flores
8 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This AP Psychology study guide covers cognitive processes including thinking, problem-solving, judgment, and decision-making. Key concepts include concepts, schemas (assimilation and accommodation), problem-solving strategies (algorithms and heuristics), influences on decision-making (mental set, priming, framing), cognitive biases (gambler's fallacy and sunk-cost fallacy), and executive functions and creativity (divergent thinking and functional fixedness). The guide also provides practice questions and exam tips.
#AP Psychology: Cognitive Processes - Your Ultimate Study Guide 🧠
Hey there, future AP Psych pro! Let's dive into the fascinating world of thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. This guide is designed to make sure you're not just memorizing, but understanding these key concepts. Let's get started!
#Introduction to Cognitive Processes
Cognitive processes are how we make sense of the world. They include everything from forming concepts to making complex decisions. This unit is crucial because it connects to almost every other area of psychology.
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Core Cognitive Activities
- Thinking: The mental manipulation of information.
- Problem-Solving: Finding solutions to challenges.
- Judgments: Evaluating information to form opinions.
- Decision-Making: Choosing between different options.
#Building Blocks of Thought: Concepts and Schemas
These are the basic tools your brain uses to categorize and understand information.
#Concepts and Prototypes
- Concepts: Mental categories that group similar things together. Think of them as your brain's filing system. 🗂️
- Example: The concept of "dog" includes features like four legs, fur, and a tail.
- Prototypes: The best example of a concept. It's what pops into your head first.
- Example: A golden retriever is a common prototype for "dog," while a chihuahua might be less so.
Caption: Different birds, some of which are more prototypical than others.
#Schema Formation and Modification
- Schemas: Mental frameworks that organize our knowledge and expectations about the world. They're like scripts for how things usually go.
- Think of a restaurant schema: you expect to be seated, order food, eat, and pay.
- Assimilation: Fitting new info into existing schemas. It's like adding a new file to a folder you already have.
- Example: Seeing a new type of dog and adding it to your "dog" schema.
- Accommodation: Changing existing schemas to fit new info that doesn't quite fit. It's like creating a new folder when the old ones don't work.
- Example: Learning that a whale is a mammal, not a fish, and adjusting your "animal" schema.
Memory Aid: Think of Assimilation as Adding to an existing schema, and Accommodation as Adjusting the schema.
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