Structure of Language
smallest speech units which can be distinguished perceptually
What are phonemes?
when child incorrectly uses a word to describe narrower sets of objects than it is meant to
What is an underextension?
Exists when people are persistent in using problem-solving strategies that have worked in the past
What is a mental set?
involves trying possible solutions and discarding those that don't work
What is trial and error?
refers to how decision issues are posed or how choices are structured
What is framing?
the smallest unit of meaning in a language
What are morphemes?
when child incorrectly uses a word to describe a wider set of objects or actions than it is meant to
What is an overextension?
Focusing on this can have adverse effects on reasoning and problem solving
What is irrelevant information?
a guiding principle or "rule of thumb" used in solving problems or making decisions
What is a heuristic?
involves basing the estimated probability of an event on the ease with which relevant instances come to mind
what is the availability heuristic?
area of language concerned with understanding the meaning of words and word combinations
What are semantics?
consists mainly content words; articles, prepositions and other less critical words are omitted ("give doll")
What is telegraphic speech?
Assuming constraints exist when they don't
What are unnecessary constraints?
is a methodical, step-by-step procedure for trying all possible alternatives in searching for a solution to a problem
What is an algorithm?
involves basing the estimated probability of an event on how similar it is to the typical prototype of that event
what is the representative heuristic?
system of rules that specify how words can be arranged into sentences
What is syntax?
process by which children map a word onto an underlying concept only after exposure
What is fast mapping?
Tendency to perceive an item only in terms of its most common use
What is functional fixedness?
occurs when new solutions surface for a previously unsolved problem after a period of not consciously thinking about the problem
What is an incubation effect?
the ability to reflect on the use of language
What is metalinguistic awareness?
limited time span when it is optimal for organism to emerge certain capacities because they're especially responsive to certain experiences
What is a critical period?
asserts that people tend to use simple strategies in decision making that focus on only a few facets of available options and often result in "irrational" decisions that are less than optimal
what is the theory of bounded rationality?