Unit 7: Cognitive theories

Question 1

What interacts in the analysis and interpretation of stimuli and thoughts?

Answer 1

perceptual, attentional, emotional and memory processes

Question 2

What did Tolman find out in animals?

Answer 2

don’t just learn simple associations, but also develop cognitive knowledge of environment

Question 3

What is latent learning?

Answer 3

learning can occur without immediately manifesting itself in behaviour

Question 4

Who came up with the concept of psychological distance and what does it mean?

Answer 4

Kurt Lewin
individuals perception of distance between current state and desired goal

Question 5

Why is psychological distance important?

Answer 5

influences strength of motivation
the closer the goal the greater the motivation

Question 6

What is the difference between aspiration levels and expectations?

Answer 6

aspiration levels: represent what an individual wants to achieve
expectations: individuals estimates of their ability to achieve those goals

Question 7

What are values according to Rotter?

Answer 7

importance/ level of desire placed on specific goal in comparison to other possible goals

Question 8

Rotter’s expectation value theory

Answer 8

expectations as subjective estimates of probability of achieving the goal
influenced by situational factors and past experiences
self-efficacy vital

Question 9

What is self-efficacy?

Answer 9

person’s belief in their own competence to perform an activity in a reasonably acceptable manner

Question 10

How do people evaluate their probability of success?

Answer 10

analysing value of goal and past experiences

Question 11

Which aspects also get influenced by a person’s perceived probability of success?

Answer 11

emotional aspects that condition motivation

Question 12

What can the presence of others cause?

Answer 12

activation of energy resources
-> increase motivation and performance

Question 13

Duress effect

Answer 13

motivation and performance increase due to direct actions of others who compete on the same task

Question 14

Audience effect

Answer 14

passive interactions with others (like observing) influence motivation and performance

Question 15

Why doesn’t the presence of others always cause an improvement in motivation?

Answer 15

if sb doesn’t have the resources or capabilities
-> activation of response
-> decrease in motivation
=> social inhibition

Question 16

Observer status

Answer 16

status of the observer impacts response activation
the higher the perceived status the greater the activation

Question 17

What is diffusion of responsibility?

Answer 17

presence of others decreases sense of individual responsibility and perception of seriousness of the situation
-> lower likelihood of individual taking action in situation of need

Question 18

Accordance

Answer 18

tendency to respond in manner consistent with the majority
-> individuals with low interest/ commitment most likely to conform

Question 19

Obedience

Answer 19

Performance of actions by individuals in response to instruction of someone with power or authority

Question 20

When is authority less likely to force a behaviour?

Answer 20

if the person executing the task has a connection to the victim of the behaviour

Question 21

Cognitive consonance

Answer 21

harmonious relationship between thoughts, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours

Question 22

Cognitive dissonance

Answer 22

conflicting relationship between thought, attitudes, beliefs and behaviour

Question 23

What does cognitive dissonance cause?

Answer 23

experience of tensions, motivating individual to act
-> modifying/ reinterpreting belief, behaviour or attitude causing tension
-> seeking information justifying beliefs and behaviour
-> avoiding situations generating dissonance

Question 24

What is flow?

Answer 24

an emotional state of intense gratification and fascination
connected to leisure and fun

Question 25

What causes flow?

Answer 25

activity difficulty and individual’s skills balanced
-> maintains interest without frustration

Question 26

Telic state

Answer 26

motivational state towards persistent activities directed towards achieving long-term goals

Question 27

Paratelic state

Answer 27

motivational state towards immediate gratification
no prolonged effort