Week 1

Question 1

Module Rational
The mind as an abstract

Answer 1

Cognitive processes/ models

Question 2

Module Rational
The mind as a physical system

Answer 2

The brain and nervous system that conveys information to the mind

Question 3

Module Rational
The mind in an evolutionary context

Answer 3

The system behind the mind has been evolving throughout history, as evidenced by differences between the minds of animals

Question 4

Cognition

Answer 4

Internal processes such as thinking, reasoning, attention and memory

Question 5

4 Central Assumptions of Cognitive psychology

Answer 5

-mental operations solely originate from the brain
-cognitive capacities can be isolated
-there is a distinction between normal and abnormal processing
-questions can be answered in an empirical form

Question 6

Introspection

Answer 6

-William Wundt
-participants reflect on internal cognitive processes, eventually objective measures such as response times were added

Question 7

Behaviourism

Answer 7

-John Watson
-Behaviour is a learnt response to behaviour eg Pavlov dog experiment

Question 8

Cognitive psychology

Answer 8

-Karl Lashley & Noam Chomsky
-Behaviourism cannot explain complex mental processes
-Language is not a response to stimuli
-Used systematic observation first used in behaviourism

Question 9

Information processing approach

Answer 9

Internal representations of information are processed in sequential stages, using information from previous stages to perform each function

Question 10

Domains of Cognitive psychology:
Sensation/ perception

Answer 10

Interpretation of sensory information

Question 11

Domains of Cognitive psychology:
Pattern recognition

Answer 11

Recognising patterns and turning them into useful information eg understanding writing or spoken words

Question 12

Domains of Cognitive psychology:
Attention

Answer 12

Selective gathering of information by using which stimuli to focus on

Question 13

Domains of Cognitive psychology:
Consciousness

Answer 13

Hard to define, historically ignored but gaining interest

Question 14

Domains of Cognitive psychology:
Memory

Answer 14

The ability to recall previous experience and understanding

Question 15

Domains of Cognitive psychology:
Representation of Knowledge/ Imagery

Answer 15

The way the brain represents and store information, often in an image or cognitive map

Question 16

Domains of Cognitive psychology:
Language

Answer 16

The complex way of communicating information using names, syntax, sequence ect

Question 17

Bottom-up Processing

Answer 17

Processing directly from stimuli, using serial processing

Question 18

Top-down Processing

Answer 18

Processing stimuli using expectations and past experience, using parallel processing

Question 19

Serial Processing

Answer 19

Completeing each process one by one

Question 20

Parallel Processing

Answer 20

Processing multiple processes alongside eachother

Question 21

Cascade Processing

Answer 21

Processing later processes before earlier stages have been completed

Question 22

Modularity

Answer 22

-Independent parts (processors/modules) of the brain specialise in specific processing types
-Each module should have: independent functioning (informational encapsulation), domain specificity, mandatory operation, and innateness

Question 23

Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 23

Study of normal and abnormal brains to determine the underlying brain process behind functions

Question 24

Single Dissociation

Answer 24

Studying one patient to find out which processes their lesions affect

Question 25

Double Dissociation

Answer 25

Studying two patient to confirm lesions in different areas affect different processes, as both patients struggle with a different part of a task

Question 26

Biological Psychology

Answer 26

Studying the physical processes of the brain by integrating many disciplines:
-Neuroanatomy (study of NS structures)
-Neurochemistry (study of chemicals used for neuro communication)
-Neuropathology (study of NS disorders)
-Neuroendocrinology (study of the interaction between NS and the endocrine system)
-Neuropharmacology (use of drugs to manipulate neural activity)
-Psychophysiology (study of the interaction between physical activities in brain and psychological process eg EEGs)

Question 27

Human vs Non-human research

Answer 27

-Human brains are very complex
-Non-human brains are less complex so easier to find behaviour interactions
-Some animal brains miss certain parts, so behavioural differences between them and humans can tell us what that part controls
-Fewer ethical constraints studying animals

Question 28

Brain size

Answer 28

-decreased due to physical or mental stress
-increased due to good nutrition or environment