Thinking, Analogical & Symbolic Representations, Mental Maps, Schemas, Concepts, Stereotypes, Reasoning, Decision-Making, Problem Solving, Heuristics, Intelligence, Aptitude & Achievement Tests, Motivation, Needs, Drives, Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivation,

Thinking, Analogical & Symbolic Representations, Mental Maps, Schemas, Concepts, Stereotypes, Reasoning, Decision-Making, Problem Solving, Heuristics, Intelligence, Aptitude & Achievement Tests, Motivation, Needs, Drives, Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivation, Self-Determination Theory, Emotion, Primary & Secondary Emotions, James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, Schachter-Singer, Stress, General Adaptation Syndrome, Health Psychology Exam Questions Verified and Complete with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 thinking The mental manipulation of representations of information (i.e., of objects we encounter in our environments) -transducing input into signals analogical representations usually corresponds to images; characteristics of actual objects ex: clock corresponds to time symbolic representation abstract-words or ideas ex: the word "violin" stands for musical instrument mental maps combination of analogical and symbolic representations schemas based on prior knowledge and experiences related to the organization of analogical and symbolic representations in our minds concept a mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people stereotype cognitive schemas that allow for easy, fast processing of info exemplar model All concepts in a category are examples; together, they form the category prototype model The most typical instance, average or best example of a particular concept reasoning determine if a conclusion is valid/reasonable informative reasoning opinions, hearsay formal reasoning standardized and objective procedures of the scientific method decision making selecting best alternatives problem solving finding a way around an obstacle to reach a goal heuristics Mental shortcuts or "rules of thumb" that often lead to a solution (but not always). availability heuristic the tendency to estimate the likelihood that an event will occur by how easily instances of it come to mind representativeness heuristic tendency to judge the likelihood of things according to how they relate to a prototype framing how information is presented affects how that information is perceived and influences decisions the paradox of choice too many options lead to conflict and indecision Subgoals breaking up a task into smaller parts Analogy work only if you recognize the similarities between the problem we face and ones we have solved sudden insight the sudden realization of a solution to a problem restructuring thinking about a problem in a new way mental sets a tendency to approach a problem in the same way that has worked in the past, which may make it harder to solve a problem functional fixedness the tendency to perceive an item only in terms of its most common use intelligence the ability to use knowledge to reason, make decisions, make sense of events, solve problems, understand complex ideas, learn quickly, and adapt to environmental challenges Reliability Ability of a test to yield very similar scores for the same individual over repeated testings Validity the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to achievement test a test designed to assess what a person has learned aptitude test a test designed to predict a person's future performance mental age