What term describes a mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing?

The term that best describes a mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing is "schema." A schema acts as a mental outline or template that helps individuals organize and interpret information based on their previous experiences and knowledge. It influences how we perceive new information, guiding our thoughts and expectations about various situations.

Schemas are significant in that they help individuals make sense of complex environments by simplifying and categorizing information. For instance, if someone has a schema for a restaurant, they might expect certain behaviors, such as ordering food after being seated and paying the bill at the end. This framework not only aids in understanding but also helps in predicting what may happen in similar future situations.

Other terms, while related, do not specifically designate this mental framework. Cognitive bias refers more to systematic errors in thinking that affect decisions and judgments rather than the overarching structure of beliefs and expectations. A prototype is an ideal example of a category, representing the most typical member of a category rather than a broader framework. A concept map is a visual representation of relationships among concepts but does not engage with the cognitive processes in the same way that schemas do.