College Board-Aligned Original Notes

AP Psychology Unit 2 Topic 2: Biases and errors in thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving strategies

Apply Biases and errors in thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving strategies to behavior, mental processes, research evidence, and real-world examples.

Unit 2: Cognition. College Board exam weighting listed for this unit: 15%-25% of exam score.

What to Know

Distinguish definition from application in scenario questions.
Identify variables, participants, controls, ethics, and causal limits in research.
Use precise vocabulary because similar terms often differ in important ways.
Always connect this topic back to the larger unit: Cognition.

Detailed Notes

Biases and errors in thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving strategies should be learned through definition, example, and application. You need to know what the concept means and how it would appear in a person's behavior or thinking.

In AP Psychology, AP questions often give a scenario and ask you to apply terms. A strong answer names the concept, points to the specific behavior, and explains the connection.

When research is involved, identify variables and limits. Experiments can support causal claims when designed well; correlational studies describe relationships but do not prove causation by themselves.

Key Vocabulary

Biases and errors in thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving strategies

A systematic unfairness in a computing system, often caused by biased data, assumptions, design choices, or unequal testing.

Quick Practice

How would you explain Biases and errors in thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving strategies in one or two AP-style sentences?

Name the concept, apply it to a specific example or source, and explain the reasoning that connects the evidence to your answer.