Chapter 7 - Mental Images and Propositions Flashcards
Mental imagery
The mental representation of things that are not currently seen or sensed by the sense organs, even things we have never experienced.
Pavio’s dual-code theory
We use both pictorial (analog) and verbal (symbolic) codes for representing information in our minds. These two codes organize information into knowledge that we store, and can retrieve and act upon in later situations.
Analog codes
A form of knowledge representation that resemble the objects it is representing.
Symbolic codes
A form of knowledge representation that has been chosen arbitrarily to stand for something that does not perceptually resemble what is being represented.
Propositional theory
We do not store mental representations in images or words, but rather as abstract epiphenomena - secondary/derivative phenomena that occur as a result of other more basic cognitive processes. Our mental representations resemble the abstract form of propositions - the meaning underlying a particular relationship among concepts. We store the deeper relationships/meaning, and from that we recreate the verbal or imaginal code relatively accurately.
Predicate calculus
A shorthand means to express the underlying meaning of a relationship, meant to strip away the superficial differences in the ways we describe the deeper meaning of a proposition.
Proposition
The meaning underlying a particular relationship among concepts/the shortest part of a sentence that can be deemed true or untrue.
The functional equivalence hypothesis
Visual imagery is functionally equivalent (strongly analogous, accomplish the same goals) to visual perception, even if it is not identical to it.
Mental rotation
Involves rotationally transforming an object’s visual mental image.
Johnson-Laird’s mental models
Mental representations may take any of three forms: propositions, images, or mental models. Mental models are knowledge structures that individuals construct to understand and explain experiences. These models are constrained by the individuals’ implicit theories about the experiences, which can be more or less accurate.
Spatial cognition
The acquisition, organization, and use of knowledge about objects and actions in 2-D and 3-D space.
Cognitive maps
Internal representations of our physical environment, particularly centering on spatial relationships.
Heuristics
Rules of thumb; mental shortcuts, used to lighten our cognitive load.
