Cognition Flashcards
What is the basic definition of “cognition?”
analyzing information, generating ideas and problem solving - it is generally referred to as “thinking”
What are the assumptions of “information processing models” in terms of cognition?
information is taken from the environment and processed through a series of steps that include:
- attention
- perception
- storage into memory
What are the components of Alan Baddeley’s Model of Working Memory?
- a phonological loop
- a visuospatial sketchpad
- an episodic buffer
- a central executive
What is the role of a phonological loop?
this allows us to repeat verbal information to help us remember
*if someone tells you their phone number but you don’t have a pen handy, you recite it out loud over and over again
7 +/- 2 (so between 5 and 9)
What is the role of a visuospatial sketchpad?
it’s our “inner eye”
similar to the phonological loop, we can visualize images over and over again; limited capacityDistingish
What is a schema and who is most often associated with it?
a schema is a mental framework that shape and are shaped by our experiences
Jean Piaget
Distinguish between assimilating vs accommodating a schema
assimilate - fit your experience into the same schema
accommodate - change your schema to fit your new experience
What are Piaget’s stages of Cognitive Development?
- Sensorimotor
- Preoperational
- Concrete operational
- Formal operational
Some People Can’t Focus
“Object Permanence” is associated with which one of Piaget’s stages?
the sensorimotor
“Egocentrism” is associated with which one of Piaget’s stages?
preoperational
“Conservation” is associated with which one of Piaget’s stages?
concrete operational
Abstract reasoning and moral reasoning are associated with which one of Piaget’s stages?
formal operational
Define confirmation bias and give an example
a tendency to search only for information that confirms our supports your current opinion
*If you believe in the current presidential administration, you will only cite political polls that give the president a high approval rating
Define belief bias and give an example.
the tendency to judge arguments that are plausible and fit our current belief system, rather than accept any counter arguments
*I think doctors are good people and drug dealers are bad people. If I hear that a doctor’s wife has been murdered, I won’t believe her husband did it. But if I hear that a drug dealer’s wife is murdered, I will likely believe he did it.
Define belief perseverance and give an example.
the tendency to cling to our belief despite any evidence to the contrary
*A girl thinks she did horrible at a music recital. Her parents she her video of her flawless performance and standing ovations, yet the girl still think she performed poorly and nobody liked it.
What is the inability to see a problem from a fresh perspective?
fixation
What is a mental set and give an example.
The tendency to fixate on solutions that worked in the past, but may not be relevant or effective presently.
*a parent trying to put their teenager in “time out”
What is “functional fixedness?”
the tendency to see perceive the functions of an object as fixed and unchanging
*you need to open a box and search fervently for your boxcutter, when the key in front of you would work just as well
Distinguish between “recognition” and “recall”
recognition is being able to retrieve information when you are provided with clues (multiple choice exam)
recall is being able to retrieve information without any clues (essay exam)
What is an algorithm? What are its pros and cons?
an algorithm is a step by step procedure to solve a problem
pro: you will eventually get to the right answer
con: it can be time consuming
What are heuristics?
mental shortcuts or “rules of thumb”
What are the 2 main types of heuristics?
- availability
- representativeness
What is the availability heuristic?
how easily something comes to mind
*plane crashes are rare, but they induce more travel anxiety that driving a car, even though car crashes are very common and result in thousands of fatalities each year
What is the representativeness heruristic?
how well something matches your prototype
*assuming a woman in scrubs is a nurse and not a doctor
