Term
Reasoning
(adaptive uses of...) |
|
Definition
| The evolutionary value of memory we are able to understand our present situation and recognize/solve problems, make plans for the future and adapt our behavior accordingly. These processes/uses of memory are generally defined as reasoning |
|
|
Term
Intelligence (vague definition)
|
|
Definition
| Our general capacity to reason |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| In psychology, refers to similarity in behavior, function, or relationship between entities or situations that are in other respects quite different |
|
|
Term
Use of Analogies in Scientific Reasoning
|
|
Definition
Charles Darwin drew analogies between selective breeding of plants by humans to naturally occurring selectivity of breeding
Neuroscientists draw analogies between human brain and computer parts |
|
|
Term
| Analogy Problems in Reasoning Tests |
|
Definition
Miller Analogy Test is entirely analogies- predictor of how well one will perform in school/career
Raven's Progressive Matrices Test includes analogous visual patterns |
|
|
Term
Inductive Reasoning/
Induction/
Hypothesis Construction |
|
Definition
An attempt to infer some new principle or proposition from observations or facts that serve as clues
At best, an educated guess- not logical necessity
Ex. Ground is wet- so it probably rained last night
All analogies are uses of inductive reasoning |
|
|
Term
Availability Bias
(inductive reasoning) |
|
Definition
we tend to rely too strongly on information that is readily available while ignoring that information which is not
Ex. Does 'd' occur more often as first letter of word or third? We guess first because it's easier to think of words beginning with 'd'
Ex. Doctor misdiagnoses someone because he treated several other cases of particular disease- fails to ask questions that would rule out other diseases fitting symptoms |
|
|
Term
Confirmation Bias
(inductive reasoning) |
|
Definition
Natural tendency is to try to confirm rather than disprove a hypothesis, even though in principle, it is easier to disprove a hypothesis
Ex. Any increasing sequence of numbers- You can guess 2, 4,6 and the 6,8,10 and think the rule is 'even numbers increasing by 2' but really it's just 'any increasing sequence'... Smarter to guess things that break your rule
Ex. Doctor further misdiagnoses patient by asking questions only looking for confirmational evidence of diagnosis (partners with availability bias) |
|
|
Term
Predictable World Bias
(inductive reasoning) |
|
Definition
Predisposed to anticipate order where it does not exist- even if we know it cannot exist
Ex. Gambling- knowing results are random but expecting to beat the odds
Tendency to engage in inductive reasoning when such reasoning is pointless because event is random |
|
|
Term
Deductive Reasoning/
Deduction |
|
Definition
Attempting to logically derive consequences that must be true given accepted (sometimes axiomatic) principle
Logical proof, not reasoned guesswork |
|
|
Term
Series Problem
(deductive reasoning) |
|
Definition
Used by psychologists to study deductive reasoning
Requires organization of items into series on basis of comparison statement to arrive at a conclusion not contained in any single statement
Ex. John is taller than Henry, John is shorter than Mary... etc. |
|
|
Term
Syllogism
(Deductive Reasoning) |
|
Definition
Presents a major premise and a minor premise that must be combined to determine if particular conclusion is true, false, or indeterminate
Ex. All chefs are violinists
Mary is a chef
Is Mary a violinist? |
|
|
Term
| Concrete Nature of Deductive Reasoning |
|
Definition
| Few psychologists believe we deduce things based on abstract principles alone- we are more likely to solve problems by putting it in concrete terms than abstract |
|
|
Term
| Bias of Content over Logic |
|
Definition
Illustrates that we use concrete knowledge more than abstract logic
Ex. 1. All living things need water
Roses need water
Therefore, roses are living things
Most people state this is true, knowing that roses are actually alive. However, the answer is actually indeterminate
Ex. 1. All insects need oxygen
Mice need oxygen
Therefore, mice are insects
This bias to use knowledge rather than logic can be construed as bias to think inductively |
|
|
Term
Diagram use
(deductive reasoning) |
|
Definition
| Drawing diagrams to represent ideas helps to "see" the solution or next step of reasoning process |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
[image]
Used to help solve syllogistic deductive reasoning problems |
|
|
Term
Mental models
(deductive reasoning) |
|
Definition
Johnson Laird contends that untrained/uneducated people solve deductive reasoning problems by constructing mental models that take form of visual images
Supported by research |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Problems specially designed to be unsolvable until one looks at them in unusual way |
|
|
Term
| Examples of Insight Problems |
|
Definition
Checkerboard problem- because trial and error would take way too long, you can only solve problem by realizing two more squares of one color are missing and therefore can never be covered
Candle problem- requires seeing materials as having multiple uses outside of usual |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Well-established habit of perception or thought, often impedes ability to solve insight problems |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Failure to see an object as having another function besides its usual one |
|
|
Term
Discovering a Solution
(methods to...) |
|
Definition
| 1. paying deliberate attention to aspects of problem not mentioned before |
|
|
Term
| Unconscious mental processes may lead to insight |
|
Definition
-incubation period: mind unconsciously reorganizes information in ways beneficial to insight, not deduction
-creativity correlates to ability to solve insight problems but not syllogisms
-working memory capacity correlates to ability to solve deductive reasoning problems but not insight problems
-priming: concepts encountered separately from problematic scenario may form new associations with information to lead to solution
|
|
|
Term
| Broaden and build theory of positive emotions |
|
Definition
| negative emotions tend to narrow one's focus of perception and happy, playful emotions tend to broaden focus to be more adaptive and perceptive- increased creativity |
|
|
