Psychology 100: Thinking and Memory Models

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is not a component of Atkinson and Shiffrin’s modal model of memory?

Working memory (correct)

Short-term memory

Long-term memory

Sensory memory

What is the auditory sensory memory called?

Phonological loop

Echoic memory (correct)

Iconic memory

Central executive

Which reinforcement schedule delivers reinforcement with a constant time delay following the behavior?

Variable interval

Fixed interval (correct)

Fixed ratio

Continuous reinforcement

What does reasoning involve in cognitive processes?

Making inferences and drawing conclusions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements primarily describes thinking?

Mentally representing and transforming aspects of the world Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive process is defined as the mental representation of stimuli and events?

Mental images Signup and view all the answers

In which type of reinforcement schedule does reinforcement occur after an unpredictable number of responses?

Variable ratio Signup and view all the answers

What encompasses the set of cognitive processes required to reach a goal while overcoming obstacles?

Problem solving Signup and view all the answers

What does the heuristic of working backwards focus on?

Starting with the end result and moving towards the beginning Signup and view all the answers

According to Gestalt psychology, what is crucial for effective problem solving?

Restructuring the representation of the problem Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'insight' in the context of problem solving?

A sudden realization of how to solve a problem Signup and view all the answers

How does problem representation influence problem solving?

It can dictate the tools and methods used in solving. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the process of restructuring?

Changing the way a problem is perceived and represented Signup and view all the answers

What type of problems are often associated with insights according to Gestalt psychology?

Insight problems where solutions come without prior thought Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a subjective feeling of progress during problem solving?

It often correlates with the likelihood of eventual success Signup and view all the answers

In the context of chains as a problem type, what aspect is often focused on?

Reorganizing links to create a single continuous chain Signup and view all the answers

What does functional fixedness refer to in problem-solving?

Focusing on a tool's main function and not considering alternative uses. Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily represented by a prototype?

The best representative of its category Signup and view all the answers

How does mental set influence problem-solving?

It can lead to the use of outdated solutions for new problems. Signup and view all the answers

What fundamentally constitutes a problem according to the given definition?

An obstacle between a present state and a goal state Signup and view all the answers

What is convergent thinking?

Identifying a single correct answer to a problem. Signup and view all the answers

What may hinder creative problem solving according to the content?

Too much knowledge and rigid preconceptions. Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of the problem-solving process outlined?

Perform a cost-benefit analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by divergent thinking?

Solving problems by examining multiple pathways. Signup and view all the answers

In the Tower of Hanoi, what is referred to as the problem space?

All possible states that can be reached Signup and view all the answers

In Maier’s two-string problem, what did the participants primarily struggle with?

Their fixation on the typical use of pliers. Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves structured, step-by-step problem resolution?

Algorithms Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of means-end analysis?

To search the problem space for solutions Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason for poor problem-solving performance?

Ignoring contradictory evidence due to confirmation bias. Signup and view all the answers

What was the observed outcome of providing a hint in the two-string problem?

Participants solved the problem faster. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT listed as a method of problem-solving?

Deduction Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'initial state' refer to in problem structure?

The existing condition at the start of the problem Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychology 100: Thinking, Intelligence, Language

PSYC100 is a course offered at Koç University during Fall 2024.
The course covers topics related to thinking, intelligence, and language.

Components of the model are long-term memory, sensory memory, short-term memory, and working memory.
Working memory is not a component of the Atkinson & Shiffrin model.

Auditory Sensory Memory

Echoic memory is the auditory sensory memory.

Reinforcement Schedules

A fixed-interval reinforcement schedule delivers reinforcement after a constant time interval, regardless of the behavior.

Thinking, Problem Solving, and Reasoning

Thinking involves mentally representing aspects of the world, including oneself, and transforming these representations to achieve goals.
Problem solving involves cognitive processes used to overcome obstacles to achieve a goal.
Reasoning uses cognitive processes to draw conclusions from knowledge.

Elements of Thinking

Mental images are mental representations of stimuli and events.
Concepts are ideas that represent stimuli, objects, and categories.
A prototype is the best representative of a concept's category.

What is a Problem?

A problem is a situation where an obstacle exists between a current state and a desired goal state, making a solution less obvious.
Problems can have clear solutions or be complex. An example problem: How to manage a sitting arrangement at a wedding?

How to Solve a Problem

Problem-solving steps include identifying the problem, representing the problem, and taking actions to reach the goal.

Problem Structure

The structure of a problem includes the initial state (starting point), goal state (desired end point), and operations (actions to move between states).

Tower of Hanoi

The rules of the Tower of Hanoi involve moving discs from one peg to another, subject to specific constraints that you cannot place a smaller disc on a larger one.
The goal is to move all the discs from one peg to another.

Problem Solving Approaches

Newell-Simon approach focuses on problem space (all possible states), which may be vast. Exploring this space for efficient solutions. An example is the means-end analysis method to move through the problem space.
Many problem approaches exist.
Strategies for solving problems include trial and error, algorithms, heuristics (mental shortcuts), and insight.

Why Can't We Solve Some Problems?

Confirmation bias: focusing only on evidence supporting one's views.
Mental sets: using old solutions that may not apply to current problems.
Functional fixedness: focusing solely on the usual function of an object, hindering creative problem-solving.

The Gestalt Approach

The Gestalt approach views problem solving as a process of representation and reconstruction.
Insights can be sudden realisations of solutions. Insights are associated with reorganizing or restructuring the representation of a problem.

Creativity

Creativity involves conceiving new solutions to problems.
Convergent thinking is a single answer process, Divergent thinking is multiple solution process.

Creative Problem Solving: Generating Ideas

Previous knowledge can inhibit creativity.
Group brainstorming techniques can aid creative processes.

Intelligence

Theories of intelligence include Spearman's g factor (general intelligence), Gardner's multiple intelligences, Sternberg's triarchic theory, Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory, and neuroscience theories.

Measuring Intelligence

Methods for measuring intelligence include Binet's mental ability tests, Stanford-Binet and IQ tests, and Wechsler tests.

Binet's Mental Ability Test

The French government commissioned Binet to develop tests to identify children needing school support.
The resulting tests considered verbally based tasks.
Norms were established by testing a large sample of different-aged children.

Stanford-Binet and IQ

The Stanford-Binet test standardised Binet's work, establishing norms for different age groups, to determine IQ scores.
IQ is calculated as mental age divided by chronological age, multiplied by 100. IQ = mental age/chronological age *100

Wechsler Tests

Wechsler combined subtests from various intelligence tests, to measure cognitive abilities.
Present tests include the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V), and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV).

Evaluating Intelligence Tests

Reliability refers to the test's consistency.
Validity refers to whether a test measures what it intends to measure.

Distribution of IQ Scores

The majority of people have an IQ score between 85 and 115.
The average IQ is 100.

Language

Language is a system of communication using sounds or symbols to convey feelings, thoughts, ideas, etc.
Animals communicate in ways that can be interpreted as some sort of language.
Human language is characterized by its unique creativity and hierarchical structure.

Studying Language

Behaviorism approaches language development through reinforcement.
N. Chomsky proposed that language is largely innate (genetic).
Language structure and rules are similar, while vocabularies differ across populations.

Language and Culture

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that language can affect cultural perceptions of the world.

Other Cognitive Functioning

These summaries may also touch on cognitive functions like functional fixedness, mental sets, and other helpful examples to facilitate learning and understanding.

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Description

Explore key concepts in Psychology 100, focusing on thinking, intelligence, and the modal model of memory by Atkinson and Shiffrin. This quiz covers auditory sensory memory, reinforcement schedules, and problem-solving strategies. Test your understanding of essential psychological theories and concepts.