1. Unit VII: Cognition Part two- Thinking

2. Thinking Cognition Cognitive Psychologists:
mental activities associated with thinking, understanding, remembering, deciphering and communicating
Cognitive Psychologists:
study mental activities and the influence of cognition on behavior
concept formation
problem solving
decision making
judgment formation

3. Thinking
Concept : mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people
Prototype
mental image or best example of a category
matching new items to the prototype provides a quick and easy method for including items in a category (as when comparing feathered creatures to a prototypical bird, such as a robin)

4. Thinking
Heuristic
simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently
usually speedier than algorithms
more error-prone than algorithms

5. Heuristics Representativeness Heuristic
judging the likelihood of things in terms of how well they seem to represent, or match, particular prototypes
may lead one to ignore other relevant information.. (examples?)

6. Heuristics Availability Heuristic http://youtu.be/KOzAxhu6w2s
estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory
if instances come readily to mind (perhaps because of their vividness), we presume such events are common
Example: airplane crash

7. Thinking Algorithm http://youtu.be/TDaFwnOiKVE
methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem (iTunes, Netflix suggestions)
contrasts with the usually speedier–but also more error-prone--use of heuristics

8. Thinking S P L O Y O C H Y G Algorithm all 907,208 combinations
Unscramble
S P L O Y O C H Y G
Algorithm
all 907,208 combinations
Heuristic
throw out all YY combinations
other heuristics?
*HEURISTICS EXAMPLES…

9. The Matchstick Problem
How would you arrange six matches to form four equilateral triangles?

10. The Matchstick Problem
Solution to the matchstick problem

11. The Three-Jugs Problem
Using jugs A, B, and C, with the capacities shown, how would you measure out the volumes indicated?

12. The Three-Jugs Problem
Solution: a) All seven problems can be solved by the equation shown in (a): B - A - 2C = desired volume.
b) But simpler solutions exist for problems 6 and 7, such as A - C for problem 6.

13. The Candle-Mounting Problem
Using these materials, how would you mount the candle on a bulletin board?

14. The Candle-Mounting Problem
Solving this problem requires recognizing that a box need not always serve as a container

15. Thinking Mental Set tendency to approach a problem in a particular way
especially a way that has been successful in the past but may or may not be helpful in solving a new problem
School examples?

16. Thinking Fixation inability to see a problem from a new perspective
impediment to problem solving
Functional Fixedness
tendency to think of things only in terms of their usual functions

17. Thinking Overconfidence tendency to be more confident than correct
tendency to overestimate the accuracy of one’s beliefs and judgments

18. Thinking Framing the way an issue is posed
how an issue is framed can significantly affect decisions and judgments
Example: What is the best way to market ground beef--as 25% fat or 75% lean?
*In duos or trios, create one real-life issue /set of facts that can be framed in two very different ways

19. Cognition and Beliefs Belief Bias
the tendency for one’s preexisting beliefs to distort logical reasoning
sometimes by making invalid conclusions seem valid or valid conclusions seem invalid
Belief Perseverance
clinging to one’s initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited

20. Thinking Insight Confirmation Bias
sudden and often novel realization of the solution to a problem
contrasts with strategy-based solutions
Confirmation Bias
tendency to search for information that confirms one’s preconceptions
*Create one real-world example with your table

21. Artificial Intelligence: Computerized Cognition?
designing and programming computer systems
to do intelligent things
to simulate human thought processes
intuitive reasoning
learning
understanding language

22. Artificial Intelligence: Computerized Cognition?
Computer Neural Networks
computer circuits that mimic the brain’s interconnected neural cells
performing tasks
learning to recognize visual patterns
learning to recognize smells