Cognition, consciousness, and language

Question 1

Briefly describe Piagets stages of development

Answer 1

1. sensorimotor stage- manipulate the env based on needs (circular reactions) OBJECT PERMANENCE ends here
2. preoperational stage- focuses on symbolic thinking, egocentrism, and contraption
3. concrete operational stage- focuses on understanding the feelings of others and manipulating objects
4. formal operational stage- abstract thought and problem solving

Question 2

Define a mental set

Answer 2

pattern of approach for a given problem

Question 3

Define functional fixedness

Answer 3

tendency to use objects only in the way they are normally utilized which may create barriers to problem solving

Question 4

What are the various types of problem solving?

Answer 4

1. trial and error
2. algorithms
3. deductive reasoning- deriving conclusions from general rules
4. inductive reasoning- deriving generalizations from evidence

Question 5

Define heuristics

Answer 5

shortcuts or rules of thumb used to make decisions

Question 6

Which 2 waves predominate on the EEG?

Answer 6

Beta and Alpha

Question 7

Describe stage 1 sleep in terms of the EEG

Answer 7

dominated by theta waves

Question 8

Describe stage 2 of sleep

Answer 8

Slightly deeper than stage 1 and it includes theta waves, sleep spindles, and K complexes

Question 9

Describe 3 and 4 stages of sleep

Answer 9

These are the slow wave sleep
Delta waves predominate
Most sleep disorders happen here!

Question 10

Describe REM sleep

Answer 10

paradoxical sleep; mind appears to be awake on the EEG but the person is still asleep, this is where sleep paralysis occurs, yikes

Question 11

Describe the sleep cycle

Answer 11

usually lasts about 90 minutes; normal cycle is 123432REM or 1234REM

Question 12

Describe how the body is able to prepare for sleep and wakefulness

Answer 12

AS it gets darker, your body releases melatonin from the pineal gland and then as it gets lighter while you are asleep, your body releases cortisol so you will wake up

Question 13

Describe the differences between dyssomnias and parasomnias

Answer 13

dyssomnias are sleep wake disorders and include narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and insomnia

parasomnias are night terrors and sleep walking

Question 14

What are the various types of conscious altering drugs?

Answer 14

Depressants 
Stimulants 
Opiates 
Hallucinogens 
Marijuana

Question 15

Define depressants

Answer 15

promote or mimic GABA in the brain, which are inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain that cause an influx of chloride; include alcohol and barbiturates; tend to causes a sensation of relaxation

Question 16

Define stimulants

Answer 16

increase dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the synaptic cleft; amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy

Question 17

Which pathway is drug addiction related to?

Answer 17

The mesolithic reward pathway

includes the nucleus accumbent, ventral segmental area, and the connection between the medial forebrain bundle

Question 18

Describe the nativist theory

Answer 18

explains language acquisition as being innate and controlled by the language acquisition device (LAD)

Question 19

Describe the learning (behaviorist theory)

Answer 19

explains language acquisition as being controlled by operant conditioning and reinforcement by parents and caregivers

Question 20

Describe the social interactionist there

Answer 20

explains language acquisition as a theory caused by motivation to communicate and interact with others

Question 21

Describe the Whorfian (linguistic relativity) hypothesis

Answer 21

states that the lens through which we view and interpret the world is created by language