1. Unit 8: Thinking and Problem Solving

2. Bell Activity 4/19/2013 Learning Targets: At the end of class, you will be able to- List different memory techniques Define “Thinking” List units of thinking and Kinds of thinking 1.) Explain the connection between language and higher level thinking skills 2.) What is the color of snow? What do cows drink? Work on vocabulary for chapter 11. Complete this on your own paper.

8. Thinking Changing and reorganizing the information stored in memory to create information

9. 5 Units of Thought: The Process of Thought depends on these devices Image: Visual, mental representation of an event or an object Symbol: Abstract unit of thought; represents an object or quality; anything that stands for or represents something else -Most common symbols are words -Symbols can have multiple meanings Concept: Class of objects or events that have at least one thing in common -enable us to chunk large amounts of information

10. 5 Units of Thought: Prototype: Representative example of a concept. An example that has most of the characteristics of the model. Rule: Statement of relationship between concepts. Ex: Mass remains the same even when an object changes appearance

11. Bell Activity 4/22/2013 Learning Targets: At the end of class today, you will be able to- Discuss problem solving strategeries (“ahhehehehe”) List characteristics of creativity 1.) What are the 5 units of thought? 2.) What is the difference between an image and a symbol? 3.) How much is creativity a part of intelligence? 4.) Can genius be taught or, is it something you are born with? PROGRAMMING ALERT! The new show “Brain Games” debuts on National Geographic tonight at 7:00. It looks like it is going to talk about many of the topics we are talking about in class.

12. Brain Teasers Complete the brain teasers and then describe how you solved them. Describe the mental process you used?

13. Kinds of Thinking Direct thinking is a systematic, logical attempt solve a problem. Direct, purposeful Nondirected (divergent) Thinking is a free flow of thoughts with no particular plan and depends more on images Metacognition: Awareness of our own cognitive skills and processes (thinking about thinking)

14. Problem Solving: “Strategeries” Algorithms: Solving a problem using a step-by step process Heuristic: Experimental strategies that use “rules of thumb” to simplify the problem. Allows for quicker decisions but sometimes ignore important information

15. Obstacles to Problem Solving Mental Set: You are set to treat problems in a certain way; rigidity can be a problem Functional Fixedness: Inability to imagine new uses for familiar objects; Once again, rigidity becomes a problem -Rigidity is a bigger problem in familiar situations. -Rigidity can be overcome if a person is able to realize that they need to look for other ways to solve the problem.

16. Creativity Using information and/or abilities in a new or original way. All problem solving involves some form of creativity Not sure exactly WHY some people are able to think more creatively than others

17. Creativity 3 Characteristics of Creativity -Flexibility -Recombination -Insight

18. 3 Characteristics of Creativity: Flexibility Ability to overcome rigidity; remain open to alternative solutions How many uses can you think of for the object on the right?

19. 3 Characteristics of Creativity: Recombination Rearranging the elements of a problem to come to a solution How many strings are on a guitar?

20. 3 Characteristics of Creativity: Insight Sudden realization of the solution to the problem Usually occurs when all other strategies have failed and attention has been diverted Suggests recombination on a subconscious level An “A-Ha” Moment…Sorry!!!

21. Battle of the Brains http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuaTP1Z RL40 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuaTP1Z RL40 As you are watching, write down the different tests that they give the subjects.

22. Bell Activity 4/23/2013 Learning Targets: At the end of class you will be able to- -Evaluate different IQ Tests -Analyze mental flexibility 1.) What are the three characteristics of creativity? 2.) Explain functional fixedness. 3.) What is metacognition? 4.) List two obstacles to problem solving

23. Computer Lab Activity Go to Mr. P’s web site: http://spetersopsych.wikispaces.com/ http://spetersopsych.wikispaces.com/ Click on the “Unit 8” link Visit the different IQ Test links and complete the tests. Go to the Edmodo page and answer the question

24. Mental Flexibility Experiment Use the data from your interviews to answer the following questions: 1. How did the number of uses identified by participants relate to the answers to the introductory questions? 2. Did participants who knew what the objects were come up with fewer responses or more responses? What might this suggest about mental flexibility and rigidness?

25. Bell Activity 4/24/2013 Learning Targets: At the end of class, you will be able to -Define language -Explain the stages of language development 1.) Translate: “oldest world the today Russia lives person in the in” 2.) Can animals learn language? 3.) Do you think Mr. P’s secretary is a female or a male? 4.) Use the word “square” as an adjective, a verb, an adverb, and a noun *Test on Thinking and Language on Friday 4/26 *Vocabulary Due Tomorrow

26. What is Language? Language is the expression of ideas through symbols and sounds that are arranged according to rules

27. Elements of Language Phonemes: Individual sound that is a basic structural element of language; can be individual letters, or letter combinations; English uses about 43 sounds Morphemes: Smallest unit of meaning in a given language; made up of one or more phonemes; can be a word, a prefix, or suffix (“un”, “ly”) Syntax: Language rules that govern how words can be combined to form meaningful phrases and sentences; grammatical rules; “Store I to meet a to friend went Judy and the”

28. Semantics The study of the meaning of language includes the study of how meaning is constructed, interpreted, clarified, obscured, illustrated, simplified, negotiated, contradicted and paraphrased.

29. Language Development B.F. Skinner Learn language through operant conditioning Children learn language by recreating adult speech and receiving positive feedback Noam Chomsky Reinforcement and imitation are part of language development Believed infants possessed innate capacity for language All children go through development stages of language no matter what culture or language group

30. Language Development Use page 307 Create a timeline of language development Include the 4 stages of language development Include a description and example for each stage 20 point assignment; due today!

31. Animals and Language Do animals learn “language?” Language requires use and knowledge of grammar so, no, they do not learn language However, animals do learn how to communicate

32. Gender and Cultural Differences in Language Benjamin Whorf argued that there were cultural differences in language. For example, The Inuit have many different words for “snow.” American culture basically has one word. What about gender differences? Some argue that terms like “chairman,” “freshman” “repairman” show a gender bias in the English language. Teachers, nurses and secretaries are generally referred to as females while doctors, engineers, and presidents are referred to in a male context. Agree or disagree?

33. Bell Activity 4/25/2013 Learning Targets: At the end of class you will be able to- -Describe the importance of body language -Recall information for the test on Thinking and Language 1.) At what age (typically) is language development complete? 2.) According to the video, how much of our communication is non-verbal? 3.) Knowing what you know about language, Why do you think taking foreign language is a requirement for the advanced diploma? 4.) How do teachers use body language in their classes? TEST TOMORROW!!!!