AP Psychology Flashcards: Thinking, Problem-Solving, Judgments, and Decision-Making
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 21 cards to help you master important concepts.
How do people form and modify schemas?
People use assimilation to fit new information into existing schemas and accommodation to change existing schemas to incorporate new information.
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How do people form and modify schemas?
People use assimilation to fit new information into existing schemas and accommodation to change existing schemas to incorporate new information.
How do cognitive fallacies hinder good decision-making?
Cognitive fallacies, like the gambler's or sunk-cost fallacies, are errors in reasoning that can lead to irrational decisions by distorting our judgment of probability and value.
Define 'prototype'.
A prototype is the best or most ideal example of a particular concept, serving as a mental benchmark for comparison.
Define 'functional fixedness'.
Functional fixedness is a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in its traditional way, which can be a barrier to creative problem-solving.
Contrast algorithms and heuristics for problem-solving.
Algorithms are slow but guarantee a correct solution by trying all possibilities, whereas heuristics are fast mental shortcuts that are efficient but more prone to errors.
A product advertised as '95% fat-free' is more appealing than one labeled '5% fat.' What cognitive concept does this demonstrate?
This demonstrates framing, as the positive framing ('fat-free') is more persuasive than the negative framing ('fat') even though they describe the same product.
Define 'framing' in the context of decision-making.
Framing is the way an issue is presented or worded, which can significantly affect the decisions and judgments people make about it.
A child sees a horse for the first time and calls it a 'big doggy.' Which of Piaget's processes is the child using?
The child is using assimilation, fitting the new information (horse) into their pre-existing schema for a four-legged animal (doggy).
What is a 'heuristic'?
A heuristic is a simple thinking strategy or mental shortcut that allows for efficient judgments, though it is more prone to errors than an algorithm.
What are 'executive functions'?
Executive functions are higher-order cognitive processes, such as planning and flexible thinking, that are essential for goal-directed behaviors and critical thinking.
What is an 'algorithm' in problem-solving?
An algorithm is a methodical, step-by-step procedure that guarantees a solution by attempting all possible options.
What is 'priming'?
Priming is the activation of certain associations, often unconsciously, which can influence one's perception, memory, or response in a given situation.
What is a 'concept' in cognitive psychology?
A concept is a mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people that forms the basis of all thought.
What is a 'mental set'?
A mental set is a tendency to approach a problem in a particular way, often one that has been successful in the past, which can sometimes inhibit finding a new solution.
Define the 'representativeness heuristic'.
This is a mental shortcut where we judge the likelihood of something based on how well it matches our prototype for a concept, which can lead to errors.
You need to open a wine bottle but don't have a corkscrew. If you can only think of a corkscrew for the job and not other potential tools (like a screw and pliers), what are you experiencing?
You are experiencing functional fixedness, a cognitive bias that prevents you from seeing an object's alternative uses beyond its traditional function.
After seeing news of a lottery winner, you overestimate your own chances of winning. Which heuristic is at play?
This is an example of the availability heuristic, as the memorable and vivid news story makes the event seem more common or likely than it actually is.
What is the 'sunk-cost fallacy'?
The sunk-cost fallacy is a cognitive error where one continues an endeavor due to previously invested resources (like time or money), even when it is no longer the best decision.
What is the relationship between creativity and divergent thinking?
Creativity involves generating novel ideas, which is achieved through divergent thinking—the process of exploring many possible solutions to a problem.
What is the 'gambler's fallacy'?
The gambler's fallacy is the incorrect belief that if an event happens frequently in the past, it is less likely to occur in the future in a series of independent events.
Define the 'availability heuristic'.
This is a mental shortcut where we estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily it comes to mind, often due to vividness or recent exposure.