Cognition and Perception

Question 1

what is the strong version of Whorfian’s hypothesis of linguistic relativity?

Answer 1

language determines thought

without access to the right words, certain thoughts cannot occur

Question 2

what the weak version of Whorfian’s hypothesis of linguistic relativity?

Answer 2

language influences thought

Question 3

study for the impact of language on colour perception

Answer 3

Compared Berinmo, Himba, and English speakers and found people categorize colours based on their culture’s colour boundaries.

Conclusion: Color exists on a continuum, but colour terms vary.

Question 4

how do humans perceive odors?

Answer 4

English speakers are bad at identifying smells.

Hunter-gatherers excel at odor identification.

Better odor identification correlates with the availability of abstract odor words.

Question 5

using egocentric spatial terms for spatial perception

Answer 5

terms like “right,” “left,” and “in front of” are recent in human history.

Question 6

using cardinal direction terms for spatial perception

Answer 6

Terms like “north” and “east” are more common in subsistence societies.

Question 7

gender differences in spatial perception

Answer 7

men travel farther and perform better on spatial tasks (linked to mate-seeking and labor)

Question 8

What are the universal and culturally varying aspects of numerical cognition?

Answer 8

Universal abilities: Distinguishing small quantities (<4), approximating magnitude.

Cultural variation: Different base systems (base-10, base-20, base-60).

Question 9

linear vs logarithmic thinking

Answer 9

industrilized societies teach linear thinking, less formal math education leads to logarithmic thinking.

Question 10

characteristics of analytic thinking?

Answer 10

focuses on objective attributes and independent context

uses taxonomic categorization and abstract thought

Question 11

characteristics of holistic thinking?

Answer 11

focuses on relationships

uses thematic categorization and associative thought

Question 12

historical example of analytic thinking

Answer 12

seen in ancient Greek philosophy (discrete objects and formal logic)

Question 13

historical example of holistic thinking

Answer 13

seen in ancient Chinese philosophy (harmony, interconnectedness)

Question 14

how do analytic and holistic thinkers differ in attention (what they pick up on in a scene)?

Answer 14

analytic thinkers: focus on specific parts

holistic thinkers: focus on the broader elements

Question 15

what is naive dialecticism?

Answer 15

east asian belief that contradiction is acceptable and change expected but unpredictable

Question 16

what do disposition attributions explain?

Answer 16

behaviour by inner characteristics

Question 17

what do situational attributions explain?

Answer 17

behaviour by contextual factors

Question 18

what is fundamental attribution error?

Answer 18

tendency to overemphasize dispositional factors and ignore situational context

Question 19

what are dispositional factors?

Answer 19

traits, personality, internal characteristics

Question 20

what is “agency”

Answer 20

the sense of “who” is responsible for an action

Question 21

how do languages differ in encoding agency

Answer 21

agentic vs passive expressions

Question 22

example of differences in language encoding agency

(for out understanding - not from notes)

Answer 22

english speakers often focus on the person doing the action (she broke the glass)

spanish speakers might focus more on the action/situation (the glass broke)