PSY 2012 Chapter 9 Notes

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
CHAPTER 9 NOTES
Please make sure you review the following terms/ concepts from this chapter. This includes not
just knowing the definitions, but also that you feel confident with your knowledge of the terms/
concepts and your ability to apply them critically.




 Critical thinking – a particular form of reasoning that involves our ability to question
analyze and evaluate information and then form opinions based on evidence.




 Concept – mental representations of categories. A mental grouping of objects events or
people.




 Prototype – The best-fitting examples of a category.




 Reasoning – The process of drawing inferences or conclusions from principles and
evidence.


o Deductive reasoning – The process of drawing inferences or conclusions from
principles and evidence.


o Inductive reasoning – Reasoning to general conclusions from specific evidence.




 confirmation bias – The tendency to selectively attend to information that supports
one’s general beliefs while ignoring information or evidence that contradicts one’s
beliefs.


 heuristics – Mental shortcuts for making complex and uncertain decisions and
judgments.