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MCAT-PSYCHOLOGY > Interacting with the Environment > Flashcards

Interacting with the Environment Flashcards

1
Q

selective attention

A

the process by which one input is attended to and the rest are tuned out

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2
Q

attended channel

A

the information one is instructed to listen to

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3
Q

unattended channel

A

the information one is supposed to ignore

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4
Q

Broadbent Filter Model of Selective Attention

A

inputs from the environment first enter a sensory buffer. One of these inputs is then selected and filtered based on physical characteristics of its input (ex. modality), this theoretical filter is designed to keep us from becoming overloaded and overwhelmed with information. other sensory info stays in the sensory buffer briefly but then quickly decays. the information is raw data filtered, which will enter short-term memory stores in the next step

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5
Q

cocktail party effect

A

when information of personal importance from previously unattended channels catches our attention

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6
Q

Anne Treisman’s Attenuation Model

A

rather than a filter, the mind has an attenuator, which “turns down the volume” of the unattended sensory input, rather than eliminating it

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7
Q

selective priming

A

suggests that people can be selectively primed to observe something, either by encountering it frequently or by having an expectation

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8
Q

spotlight model

A

describes the movement of attention: shifts in attention precede corresponding eye movements, shifting of attention requires us to unlock the beam from its current target, move the focus, and lock onto a new target

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9
Q

binding problem

A

the problem of how all these different aspects of visual processing are assembled together and related to a single object, rather than something else in the visual field

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10
Q

divided attention

A

concerns when and if we are able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously

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11
Q

resource model of attention

A

we have a limited pool of resources on which to draw when performing tasks, both modality-specific resources and general resources.

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12
Q

what are three factors associated with performance on multi-tasking?

A

task similarity, task difficulty, task practice

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13
Q

information-processing models

A

focuses on how information is processed. assumes that info is taken in from the environment and processed through steps including: attention, perception, storage into memory

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14
Q

Alan Baddeley’s model

A

sought to redefine short-term memory (working memory) in which it consists of four components: phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, episodic buffer, central executive

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15
Q

phnological loop

A

allows us to repeat verbal information to help us remember it

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16
Q

visuospatial sketchpad

A

helps to remember visuospatial information through the use of mental images

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17
Q

episodic buffer

A

integrates information from the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad with a sense of time, and to interface with loop term memory stores

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18
Q

central executive

A

oversees the entire process and orchestrates it by shifting and dividing attention

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19
Q

schemas

A

mental frameworks that shape and are shaped by our experiences

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20
Q

assimilate

A

experiences are conformed into our existing schemas

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21
Q

accomodate

A

adjust our schemas to take into account new experiences

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22
Q

what is Piaget’s theory of four developmental stages?

A

Sensorimotor stage, preoperational stage, concrete operational stage, functional operational stage

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23
Q

sensorimotor stage

A

birth-2: learn about object permanence, demonstrate stranger anxiety

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24
Q

object permanence

A

the understanding that things continue to exist when they are out of sight

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25
Q

preoperational stage

A

2-7: learn that things can be represented through symbols such as words and images, pretend plan, development of language, lack logical reasoning, egocentric

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26
Q

concrete operational stage

A

7-11: learn to think logically about concrete events, helps them learn the principle of conservation, math

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27
Q

conservation

A

the idea that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape

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28
Q

formal operational stage

A

12-adulthood: people learn about abstract reasoning and moral reasoning

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29
Q

recall

A

retrieving information from memory without any clues

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30
Q

recognition

A

retrieving information from memory with cues

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31
Q

what are types of problem solving approaches?

A

trial and error, heuristic, algorithm

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32
Q

heuristic

A

mental shortcut

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33
Q

insight

A

a sudden flash of inspiration

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34
Q

what are two cognitive tendencies that can be a barrier to effective problem solving?

A

confirmation bias and fixation and belief bias

35
Q

confirmation bias

A

tendency to search only for information that confirms our preconceived thinking, rather than information that might not support it

36
Q

fixation

A

an inability to see the problem from a fresh perspective

37
Q

mental set

A

tendency to fixate on solutions that worked in the past though they might not apply to the current situation

38
Q

functional fixedness

A

a tendency to perceive the functions of objects as fixed and changing

39
Q

representative heuristic

A

based on generalizations

40
Q

availability heruistic

A

based on how readily particular examples come to mind

41
Q

belief bias

A

tendency to judge arguments based on what one believes about their conclusions, rather than on whether they use sound logic

42
Q

belief perseverance

A

tendency to cling to beliefs despite the presence of contrary evidence

43
Q

overconfidence

A

an overestimation of the accuracy of knowledge and judgments: caused by use of intuitive heuristics and a tendency to confirm preconceived beliefs

44
Q

consciousness

A

the awareness that we have of ourselves, our internal states, and the environment

45
Q

reticular formation (reticular activating system RAS)

A

in brainstem, controls alertness and arousal

46
Q

polysomnography PSG

A

multimodal technique to measure physiological processes during sleep: EEG, EMG, EOG

47
Q

electroencephalogram EEG

A

measures of electrical impulses in the brain

48
Q

electromyogram EMG

A

measures of skeletal muscle movement

49
Q

electrooculogram EOG

A

measures of eye movement

50
Q

waves when person are awake

A

beta waves

51
Q

waves in a relaxed state:

A

alpha waves: low amplitudes, high frequencies, ready to drift off to sleep

52
Q

Stage 1 sleep

A

theta waves (low to moderate intensity, intermediate frequency), slow rolling eye movements, moderate activity: person becomes less responsive to stimuli and has fleeting thoughts

53
Q

Stage 2 sleep

A

theta waves interspersed with K complex and sleep spindles, no eye movement, moderate activity: increased relaxation in the body that is characteristic of sleep

54
Q

Stage 3 and Stage 4 sleep

A

delta waves (high amplitudes, low frequency waves), no eye movement, moderate muscle movement, heart rate and digestion slows, growth hormones secreted

55
Q

REM sleep

A

quick eye movements, resembles beta waves but more jagged, low/no skeletal muscle movement, when dreams occur

56
Q

circadian rhythms

A

biological waxing and waning of alertness over a 24hour day

57
Q

sleep is regulated by exposure to light which stimulates a nerve pathway from retina to:

A

suprachiasmatic nucleus SCN in the hypothalamus (regulates body temperature, controls production/release of hormones)

58
Q

sleep is also regulated by melatonin produced by:

A

pineal gland: dark = more melatonin

59
Q

REM rebound

A

increase in REM sleep to make up for missing REM sleep

60
Q

manifest content

A

plotlines of dreams, symbols versions of underlying latent content

61
Q

latent content

A

unconscious drives and wishes that are difficult to express

62
Q

activation-synthesis theory

A

dreams are byproducts of brain activation during REM sleep

63
Q

dyssomnias

A

abnormalities in the amount, quality, or timing of sleep (insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea)

64
Q

insomnia

A

most common, difficulty falling or staying asleep

65
Q

narcolepsy

A

periodic overwhelming sleepiness during waking period, that usually last less than 5 minutes

66
Q

sleep apnea

A

disorder that causes people to intermittently stop breathing during sleep, results in awakening after a minute or so without area

67
Q

parasomnias

A

abnormal behaviours that occur during sleep (somnambulism, night terrors)

68
Q

somnambulism

A

sleep walking, sleep talking, Stage 3

69
Q

night terrors

A

Stage 3 not recalled the next morning

70
Q

Dissociation theory

A

hypnotism is an extreme form of divided consciousness

71
Q

Social Influence theory

A

people do and report what’s expected of them

72
Q

meditation

A

refers to a variety of techniques which usually involve the training of attention

73
Q

mindfulness-based stress reduction

A

protocol commonly used in the medical setting to help alleviate stress

74
Q

depressants

A

alcohol, barbiturates, opiates: depress or slow down neural activity

75
Q

opiates

A

derivates of opium that depress neural functional

76
Q

stimulants

A

caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines: increase the release of neurotransmitters, reduce the reuptake of neurotransmitters. speeds up body functions

77
Q

hallucinogens

A

psychedelics (LSD, marijuana) distort perceptions in the absence of any sensory input

78
Q

psychological dependence

A

use of a drug in response to painful emotions related to depression, anxiety, or trauma

79
Q

physical dependence

A

evidenced by withdrawal

80
Q

enjoyable behaviours produce activity in dopamine circuits in the brain, most notably in:

A

nucleus accumbens “pleasure center”

81
Q

aphasia

A

difficulty in producing/comprehending language

82
Q

alexia

A

inability to perceive written words

83
Q

conduction aphasia (acquired aphasia)

A

having the ability to comprehend/speak, but unable to repeat what was just heard. occurs if broca’s and wernicke’s area are disconnected

MCAT-PSYCHOLOGY (11 decks)

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