1.
algorithm: A systematic procedure that cannot fail to produce a correct solution to a problem, if a solutioin exists
2.
anchoring heuristic: A mental shortcut that involves basing judgements on existing information
3.
artivicial intelligence (AI): The field that studies how to program computers to imitate the products of human perception, understanding, and thought
4.
availability heuristic: A mental short-cut through which judgements are based on information that is most easily brought to mind
5.
cognitive map: A mental representation of familiar parts of the environment
6.
cognitive psychology: The study of the mental processes by which information from the environment is modified, made meaningful, stored, retrieved, used and communicated to others
7.
concept: A category of objects, events, or ideas that have common properties
8.
confirmation bias: The tendency to pay more attention to evidence in support of one's hypothesis than to evidence that refutes that hypothesis
9.
deep structure: An abstract representation of the underlying meanings of a given sentence
10.
evoked brain potential: A small, temporary change in EEG voltage that is evoked by some stimulus
11.
expected value: The total benefit to be expecfted if a decision were to be repeated several times
12.
formal concept: A concept that can be clearly defined by a set of rules or properties
13.
formal reasoning: The process of following a set of rigorous procedures for reaching valid conclusions
14.
functional fixedness: A tendency to think about familiar objects in familiar ways that may prevent using them in other ways
15.
grammar: A set of rules for combining the workds used in a given language
16.
heuristics: Time-saving mental short-cuts used in reasoning
17.
image: A mental representation of visual information
18.
informal reasoning: The process of evaluating a conclusion, theory, or course of action on the basis of the believability of evidence
19.
information-processing system: Mechanisms for receiving information, representing it with symbols, and manipulating it
20.
language: Symbols and a set of rules for combining them that provides a vehicle for communication
21.
mental model: A cluster of propositions representing our understanding of objects and processes that guides our interaction with those things
22.
mental set: The tendency for old paterns of problem solving to persist, even when they might not always be the most efficient alternative
23.
morpheme: The smallest unit of language that has meaning
24.
natural concept: A concept that has no fixed set of defining features but has a set of characteristic features
25.
one-word stage: A stage of language development during which children tend to use one word at a time
26.
phoneme: The smallest unit of sound that affects the meaning of speach
27.
proposition: A mental representation of the relationship between concepts
28.
prototype: A member of a natural concept that possesses all of most of its characteristic features
29.
reaction time: The time between the presentation of a stimulus and an overt response to it
30.
reasoning: The process by which people generate and evaluate arguments and reach conclusions about them
31.
representativeness heuristic: A mental shortcut that involves judging whether something belongs in a given class on the basis of its similarity to other members of that class
32.
rules of logic: Sets of statements that provide a formula for drawing valid conclusions
33.
schema: A generalization about categories of objects, places, events, and people
34.
script: A mental representation of familiar sequences of activity
35.
semantics: Rules governing the meaning of words and sentences
36.
surface structure: The order in which words are arranged in sentences
37.
syllogism: An argument made up of two propositions, called premises, and a conclusion based on those premises
38.
syntax: The set of rules that govern the formation of phrases and sentences in a language
39.
thinking: The manipulation of mental representations
40.
utility: A subjective measure of value
41.
word: Unit of language composed of one or more morphemes
