Thinking & Problem Solving

🧠 Thinking & Problem Solving

Part 1 of 7 — Concepts & Categories

1. Concepts

mental categories for objects, events, ideas

2. Prototypes

best example of a concept (robin = bird)

3. Schemas

organized knowledge structures

4. Scripts

schemas for sequences of events (restaurant script)

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Key Points

• Concepts: mental categories for objects, events, ideas
• Prototypes: best example of a concept (robin = bird)
• Schemas: organized knowledge structures
• Scripts: schemas for sequences of events (restaurant script)

Concept Check 🎯

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Problem-Solving Strategies

Part 2 of 7 — Problem-Solving Strategies

1. Algorithms

step-by-step procedures (guaranteed solution)

2. Heuristics

mental shortcuts (faster but error-prone)

3. Insight

sudden realization of a solution

4. Fixation

inability to see a problem from a new perspective

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Key Points

• Algorithms: step-by-step procedures (guaranteed solution)
• Heuristics: mental shortcuts (faster but error-prone)
• Insight: sudden realization of a solution
• Fixation: inability to see a problem from a new perspective

Concept Check 🎯

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Decision Making

Part 3 of 7 — Decision Making

1. Framing effect

how a question is presented affects decisions

2. Loss aversion

losses loom larger than equivalent gains

3. Sunk cost fallacy

continuing because of past investment

4. Overconfidence

overestimating accuracy of our judgments

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Key Points

• Framing effect: how a question is presented affects decisions
• Loss aversion: losses loom larger than equivalent gains
• Sunk cost fallacy: continuing because of past investment
• Overconfidence: overestimating accuracy of our judgments

Concept Check 🎯

Match the Concepts 🔍

Judgment & Heuristics

Part 4 of 7 — Judgment & Heuristics

1. Availability heuristic

judging likelihood by ease of recall

2. Representativeness heuristic

judging by similarity to prototype

3. Anchoring

relying too heavily on first piece of information

4. Confirmation bias

seeking evidence that supports beliefs

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Key Points

• Availability heuristic: judging likelihood by ease of recall
• Representativeness heuristic: judging by similarity to prototype
• Anchoring: relying too heavily on first piece of information
• Confirmation bias: seeking evidence that supports beliefs

Concept Check 🎯

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Creativity

Part 5 of 7 — Creativity

1. Convergent thinking

one correct answer

2. Divergent thinking

generating many possible solutions

3. Components of creativity

expertise, imaginative thinking, motivation

4. Brainstorming and creative problem-solving

Brainstorming and creative problem-solving

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Key Points

• Convergent thinking: one correct answer
• Divergent thinking: generating many possible solutions
• Components of creativity: expertise, imaginative thinking, motivation
• Brainstorming and creative problem-solving

Concept Check 🎯

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Problem-Solving Workshop

Part 6 of 7 — Problem-Solving Workshop

1. Identifying heuristics and biases in scenarios

Identifying heuristics and biases in scenarios

2. Analyzing decision-making errors

Analyzing decision-making errors

3. Applying problem-solving strategies

Applying problem-solving strategies

4. Evaluating framing effects

Evaluating framing effects

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Key Points

• Identifying heuristics and biases in scenarios
• Analyzing decision-making errors
• Applying problem-solving strategies
• Evaluating framing effects

Concept Check 🎯

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Synthesis & AP Review

Part 7 of 7 — Synthesis & AP Review

1. Heuristics are efficient but can lead to errors

Heuristics are efficient but can lead to errors

2. Cognitive biases affect everyday decisions

Cognitive biases affect everyday decisions

3. Creativity involves both knowledge and flexibility

Creativity involves both knowledge and flexibility

4. AP exam

identifying biases and heuristics

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Key Points

• Heuristics are efficient but can lead to errors
• Cognitive biases affect everyday decisions
• Creativity involves both knowledge and flexibility
• AP exam: identifying biases and heuristics

Concept Check 🎯

Match the Concepts 🔍