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Psychology 5/e Book Cover
Psychology, 5/e
Lester M. Sdorow, Arcadia University
Cheryl A. Rickabaugh, University of Redlands
Thinking and Language


algorithm  A problem-solving rule or procedure that, when followed step by step, assures that a correct solution will be found.
artificial intelligence (AI)  The field that integrates computer science and cognitive psychology in studying information processing through the design of computer programs that appear to exhibit intelligence.
availability heuristic  In decision making, the tendency to estimate the probability of an event by how easily relevant instances of it come to mind.
cognitive neuroscience  The study of the neurological bases of cognitive processes.
cognitive psychology  The psychological viewpoint that favors the study of how the mind organizes perceptions, processes information, and interprets experiences.
concept  A category of objects, events, qualities, or relations that share certain features.
convergent thinking  The cognitive process that focuses on finding conventional solutions to problems.
creativity  A form of problem solving that generates novel, socially valued solutions to problems.
critical period  A period in childhood when experience with language produces optimal language acquisition.
decision making  A form of problem solving in which one tries to make the best choice from among alternative judgments or courses of action.
deep structure  The underlying meaning of a statement.
displacement  The characteristic of language marked by the ability to refer to objects and events that are not present.
divergent thinking  The cognitive process by which an individual freely considers a variety of potential solutions to artistic, literary, scientific, or practical problems.
framing effects  In decision making, biases introduced into the decision-making process by presenting an issue or situation in a certain manner.
functional fixedness  The inability to realize that a problem can be solved by using a familiar object in an unusual way.
generativity  The characteristic of language marked by the ability to combine words in novel, meaningful ways.
grammar  The set of rules that governs the proper use and combination of language symbols.
heuristic  A general principle that guides problem solving, though it does not guarantee a correct solution.
holophrastic speech  The use of single words to represent whole phrases or sentences.
insight  An approach to problem solving that depends on mental manipulation of information rather than overt trial and error, and produces sudden solutions to problems.
language  A formal system of communication involving symbols--whether spoken, written, or gestured--and rules for combining them.
linguistic relativity hypothesis  Whorf's hypothesis that one's perception of the world is molded by one's language.
logical concept  A concept formed by identifying the specific features possessed by all things that the concept applies to.
mental set  A tendency to use a particular problem-solving strategy that has succeeded in the past but that may interfere with solving a problem requiring a new strategy.
morphemes  The smallest meaningful units of language.
natural concept  A concept, typically formed through everyday experience, whose members possess some, but not all, of a common set of features.
overextension  The tendency to apply a word to more objects or actions than it actually represents.
overregularization  The application of a grammatical rule without making necessary exceptions to it.
phoneme  The smallest unit of sound in a language.
phonology  The study of the sounds that compose languages.
pragmatics  The relationship between language and its social context.
problem solving  The thought process by which an individual overcomes obstacles to reach a goal.
prototype  The best representative of a concept.
representativeness heuristic  In decision making, the assumption that a small sample is representative of its population.
semanticity  The characteristic of language marked by the use of symbols to convey thoughts in a meaningful way.
semantics  The study of how language conveys meaning.
surface structure  The word arrangements used to express thoughts.
syntax  The rules that govern the acceptable arrangement of words in phrases and sentences.
telegraphic speech  Speech marked by reliance on nouns and verbs, while omitting other parts of speech, including articles and prepositions.
thinking  The mental manipulation of words and images, as in concept formation, problem solving, and decision making.
transformational grammar  The rules by which languages generate surface structures from deep structures, and deep structures from surface structures.
trial and error  An approach to problem solving in which the individual tries one possible solution after another until one works.
underextension  The tendency to apply a word to fewer objects or actions than it actually represents.








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