1. PowerPoint Presentations for Passer/Smith Psychology: Frontiers and Applicationsby
David K. Jones
Westminster College
and
Diane Feibel, Ed. D.
Raymond Walters College

2. PowerPoint Presentations for:
Passer/Smith Psychology: Frontiers and Applications
Chapter 8
Intelligent Thought and Behavior

3. Mental Representations
Mental representations take variety of forms including:
Images
Ideas
Concepts
Principles

4. Properties of Language
Language is symbolic
Uses written signs, sounds, and gestures to refer to objects, events, ideas, and feelings
Language has structure
Rules that govern how symbols can be combined
Language is generative
Symbols can be combined in infinite ways

5. Language Surface Structure Deep structure
The way symbols are combined within a given language
Rules for = syntax
Deep structure
The underlying meaning of the combined symbols
Rules for = semantics

6. Language Phonemes Morphemes
The smallest units of sound that are recognized as separate
e.g. th and sh
Morphemes
The smallest units of meaning in a language; consist of one syllable
e.g. hat and sick

7. Language: Evidence for Biological Foundations
Human children begin to master language without formal instruction
All adult languages have a common deep structure
Infants vocalize the entire range of phonemes regardless of culture
There may be a sensitive period in which language is most easily learned

8. Language: Evidence for Biological Foundations
Can animals exhibit true language?

9. Language The linguistic relativity hypothesis (Whorf, 1956)
Language determines what we are capable of thinking
Today, linguists believe that language shapes the ways we think but does not determine it

10. Cognition: Major Modes of Thought
Propositional thought
Expresses a proposition (a statement of facts)
Imaginal thought
Consists of images we “see,” “hear,” “feel” etc. in our minds
Motoric thought
Relates to mental representations of motor movements

11. Cognition: Concepts Concepts are basic units of semantic memory
Many concepts are represented by prototypes, such as a dove for the concept “bird” (Rosch, 1978)

12. Cognition Deductive Reasoning Inductive Reasoning
Reason from general principles to a conclusion
Useful process in forming hypotheses
Inductive Reasoning
Start with specific facts and try to develop a general principle

13. Cognition: Problem-Solving Stages
Understanding or framing the problem
Generating potential solutions
Testing the solutions
Evaluating results

15. Cognition: Mental Sets

16. Cognition: Problem-Solving Schemata
Step-by-step scripts for selecting information and solving special problems
The use of problem-solving schemata is an important aspect of expert knowledge

17. Problem Solving Algorithms Heuristics
Formulas or procedures for generating correct solutions
E.g. mathematical formulas
Heuristics
Mental shortcuts that may or may not provide correct solutions

18. Problem-Solving Heuristics
Means-ends analysis
Identify differences between present state and goal state
Make changes to reduce the differences
Subgoal analysis
Take intermediate steps toward an ultimate solution

19. Problem-Solving Heuristics
Representativeness Heuristic
Used to infer how closely something or someone fits our prototype for a particular concept
Availability Heuristic
Leads us to base judgments on the availability of information in memory

20. Problem-Solving Heuristics
Confirmation Bias
The tendency to look for evidence that will confirm beliefs

21. Types of Thinking Divergent thinking Convergent thinking
The generation of novel ideas
Convergent thinking
A narrowing of alternatives

22. Intelligence
A concept that refers to individual differences in abilities to:
Acquire knowledge
Think and reason effectively
Deal adaptively with the environment

24. Intelligence Binet’s Assumptions Stern’s Intelligence Quotient
Mental abilities develop with age
The rate at which people gain mental competence is characteristic of the person and is constant over time
Stern’s Intelligence Quotient
IQ = MA x 100 CA

25. Types of Tests Achievement Tests Aptitude Tests
Designed to discover how much someone knows
Aptitude Tests
Measure potential for future learning and performance

26. Types of Reliability Test-retest reliability
Assessed by administering the measure to the same group of participants twice and correlating scores
Internal consistency
All of the items of the test should measure the same thing
Interjudge reliability
Consistency of measurement when different people score the same test

27. Types of Validity Construct
Does a test measure what it is supposed to measure?
Content
Do the items on a test measure all the knowledge or skills that comprise the construct?
Predictive
How well does the test score predict criterion measures?

28. Standardization
Must create a well-controlled environment for administering the test
Normative scores (norms) provide a basis for interpreting an individual score

29. Intelligence (Cattell; 1971; Horn, 1985)
Crystallized intelligence
Ability to apply previously learned knowledge to current problems
Fluid intelligence
Ability to deal with novel problem-solving situations without any previous knowledge

31. Multiple Intelligence Theory

32. Emotional Intelligence
is EI

33. Sternberg’s (1998) Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

35. Biology of Intelligence
Intelligence may involve neural efficiency
There are moderate correlations between IQ and speed and efficiency of information processing in the brain
PET scans show that brains of highly intelligent people work more efficiently

36. Biological or Environmental Influences of Intelligence?
Ethnic differences - On average:
Asian-Americans score above white norms
Hispanic-Americans score at white norms
African-Americans score IQ points below white norm

37. Sex Differences in Cognitive Abilities
Males
Better at spatial tasks
Better at throwing, catching objects
Better at mathematical reasoning
Females
Better on tests of perceptual speed
Have better verbal fluency
Better at mathematical calculation
Better fine motor coordination