The Psychology Concepts Review

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Decision Making
Judgment Forming
Theories of Intelligence
Nature and Nurture as Factors Influencing Intelligence
Other Concepts that influence our intelligence
Works Cited

Introduction

There are always three problem-solving plans (Myers, p. 8). An algorithm is the first strategy. It is time-consuming, tedious and most precise. It is a methodological way of answering problems, and mostly used in solving computer-based problems. The second one is called heuristic. It is a quick way of solving problems, although it is not a reliable one. One imagines the “likelihood of something”. The third one is called insight. This strategy often involves creativity.

The process of problem solving involves identifying, defining, exploring, acting and looking. First, it is better to identify the problem. If they are many, prioritize and define them. The third step is exploring alternatives by writing them. After coming with the best solution, implement it. The forth step is acting. This involves implementing on the solution that has been selected. The last step is looking or evaluating the effects of the solution.

There are hindrances to problem solving. The first one is functional fixedness. It hampers innovations because it focuses on one way of fixing problems. Confirmation bias is another hindrance. Some people tend to have overconfidence of their decisions and ideas, and do not use other ways of solving problems. They could be wrong.

Decision Making

Decision making depends on the information and time available. It encompasses careful planning, sensory perception and thin slicing. Careful planned decisions are the best than the ones made in a hurry (Myers, p. 10). They produce good results. A problem is examined from all perspectives, and do not have doubts. Thin slicing is another way of making a decision. This is an instant way of thinking. It is often-unconscious. Intuition can be considered thin slicing, and is developed by knowledge, experience and training.

Extra sensory perception, this decision-making does not involve the use of the senses and is mostly referred to as the sixth sense. Some people predict the future using this source.

Judgment Forming

It is better to understand the nature of judgment. Judgments are either negative or positive and depends on whether an idea or a subject is accepted or rejected.This depends also on its existence; if it’s non-existing or existing. An idea is accepted if it’s existing and rejected when it is non-existence. Making a judgment resembles making decisions, although they are different in behavioral (Myers, p. 14). People make judgments also by forming impressions.

How we perceive people is part of making judgments. Judgment can bring discrimination and prejudice if we do not judge people correctly. People are judged according to certain stimuli they exhibit. They may be personal features i.e. body and face. Other stimuli include: clothing of a person, decisions people make etc. The mood of a person is another stimulus.

Theories of Intelligence

There are various theories that describe intelligence. Myers describes intelligence as having different mental abilities. They include reasoning, numerical ability, word fluency and perceptual speed. She also gives another theory of intelligence having different forms. There is linguistic intelligence, mathematical intelligence and musical intelligence. However, some people argue that these intelligences are specialized talents.

The best theory that describes our own intelligence is the one that defines intelligence as having three mental abilities. The abilities include problem-solving referred to as analytic intelligence. Practical intelligence involves adapting to new environments, while creative intelligence is the ability of dealing with new experiences and situations.

Nature and Nurture as Factors Influencing Intelligence

The brain of a human being is not complete at birth (Myers, p. 19). It gradually grows during childhood, puberty and adulthood. Most intelligence, from 40% to 80%, is always inherited genetically from parents. The result of high intelligence is mostly related with high paying and good job, and education attainment. Low intelligence is associated with criminality and life failure.

There is evidence of nature as a factor influencing Intelligence. There was a research of twins collected from all over the world. Those that were reared together showed different intelligence than the ones that were reared separately. There was also a research on siblings. Siblings that were reared apart and the ones that were reared together showed a difference in intelligence. An example of nurture as a factor that influences intelligence is during the prenatal care. The food that a mother eats when she is pregnant influences the development of the brain. If she eats unhealthy, the brain of the unborn does not develop well. If she eats healthy, the brain grows normally (Myers, p. 24).

Socioeconomic factor is a nature factor that influences our intelligence. A study on an adopted child that comes from a poor family and is taken to a family that has a high socioeconomic status improves intelligence. Schooling is another environmental factor that improves the intelligence. In regard to this, those with professional jobs are considered to possess higher intelligence than the ones with less skill jobs.

Other Concepts that influence our intelligence

In conclusion, there are other concepts that play either a major or a minor role in influencing our intelligence. Those with a TV or spend most of their time watching television cannot be compared with those that do not watch TV. Those that watch TV are likely to be more enlightened than their counterparts. This applies also to book-reading, magazines and online materials.

Works Cited

Myers, David. Psychology. 9^thed. New York: Worth Publishers, 2008. Print

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