Cognitive Psychology: Reasoning and Problem Solving

What is the main difference between deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning involves deriving a logically necessary conclusion from given premises, whereas inductive reasoning involves generalizing from cases seen to cases unseen.

What is the limitation of inductive reasoning?

Inductive reasoning can only prove a hypothesis false, not true.

What is abductive reasoning, and what is its limitation?

Abductive reasoning is the process of reasoning from an event to its possible cause. Its limitation is that it can lead to false explanations.

What is the main idea behind Problem Space Theory?

The Problem Space Theory suggests that problem solving involves generating states using legal operators within a problem space, and heuristics may be employed to select operators. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between productive and reproductive problem solving, according to Gestalt theory?

Productive problem solving draws on insight and restructuring of the problem, whereas reproductive problem solving involves recalling existing solutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a heuristic used in problem solving, according to the Problem Space Theory?

Means-ends analysis is an example of a heuristic used in problem solving. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between deductive reasoning and logical validity?

Deductive reasoning can produce a logically valid conclusion, but it does not necessarily guarantee the truth of the conclusion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Wason's cards in the context of inductive reasoning?

Wason's cards are used to demonstrate the difficulty of using negative evidence in inductive reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensory memory is responsible for storing visual stimuli, and what is an example of it?

Iconic memory is responsible for storing visual stimuli, and an example of it is the 'sparkler' trail. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) in terms of access and decay?

STM has rapid access (~ 70ms) and rapid decay (~ 200ms), while LTM has slow access (~ 1/10 second) and slow decay, if any. Signup and view all the answers

What is the capacity of short-term memory (STM), and what is an example of it?

The capacity of STM is limited to 7± 2 chunks, and an example of it is remembering a phone number like 0121 414 2626. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between episodic and semantic long-term memory (LTM)?

Episodic LTM involves the serial memory of events, while semantic LTM involves the structured memory of facts, concepts, and relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of rehearsal in moving information from short-term memory (STM) to long-term memory (LTM)?

Rehearsal allows information to move from STM to LTM, and the amount retained is proportional to the rehearsal time. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of interference that can affect long-term memory (LTM)?

The two types of interference are retroactive interference, where new information replaces old, and proactive inhibition, where old information interferes with new. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between emotion and forgetting in long-term memory (LTM)?

Emotion can affect forgetting, as we may subconsciously choose to forget certain information, and emotional experiences can be more memorable. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cues in the retrieval of information from long-term memory (LTM)?

Cues can assist in the retrieval of information from LTM, allowing us to recall information more effectively. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of STM in problem solving?

STM limits are largely applied to problem solving in well-defined areas, such as puzzles, rather than knowledge-intensive areas. Signup and view all the answers

What is analogical mapping, and how does it relate to problem solving?

Analogical mapping is the process of using knowledge of a similar problem from a similar domain to solve a novel problem in a new domain. Signup and view all the answers

How does chunking relate to skill acquisition?

Chunking is a characteristic of skilled activity, where a lot of information is organized to optimize STM, and information is structured more effectively through conceptual rather than superficial grouping of problems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a slip and a mistake in problem solving?

A slip occurs when there is right intention, but the action is not executed correctly, whereas a mistake occurs when there is a wrong intention, often due to an incorrect understanding of the problem. Signup and view all the answers

How does emotion affect problem solving, according to Donald Norman?

Negative affect can make it harder to do even easy tasks, while positive affect can make it easier to do difficult tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of affect in influencing our response to situations?

Affect influences how we respond to situations, with positive affect leading to creative problem solving and negative affect leading to narrow thinking. Signup and view all the answers

What are the implications of stress on problem solving in interface design?

Stress can increase the difficulty of problem solving, making it important to design interfaces that minimize stress and promote relaxation. Signup and view all the answers

What should designers consider when making design decisions?

Designers should consider whether their design decisions will exclude a section of the user population, and take into account individual differences such as sex, physical and intellectual abilities, stress, fatigue, and age. Signup and view all the answers