week 9 Flashcards
(33 cards)
Allometry
the relationship between traits and body size
EQ (Encephalization Quotient)
Measures how much bigger or smaller a brain is compared to the expected size for that species.
Neuroecology
Studies how brains and cognition adapt to different environments.
Triune Brain Theory
Reptilian brain (basic survival functions)
Limbic brain (emotions)
Neocortex (thinking & reasoning)
Computational Theory of Mind
The mind works like a computer, processing information.
Some believe the mind is actually a computer, not just similar to one.
Levels of the Mind (Marr, 1982) – “Classical Cascade”
outlines three distinct levels of analysis for understanding information-processing systems
To understand how the mind works, we can look at three levels:
Level of Computational Theory
What is the goal? What problem is being solved?
Levels of the Mind (Marr, 1982) – “Classical Cascade”
outlines three distinct levels of analysis for understanding information-processing systems
To understand how the mind works, we can look at three levels:
Level of Representation & Algorithm
What steps are needed to solve it?
Levels of the Mind (Marr, 1982) – “Classical Cascade”
outlines three distinct levels of analysis for understanding information-processing systems
To understand how the mind works, we can look at three levels:
Level of Hardware Implementation
How are these steps physically carried out in the brain?
Massive Modularity Hypothesis - Jerry Fodor
idea that the mind is made of separate, specialized “modules” instead of one general system.
Patient DF
Had damage to visual perception.
Couldn’t name objects by sight, but could draw objects from memory and perform visually guided grasping (like reaching for objects).
Patient HM
Suffered from anterograde amnesia (couldn’t form new declarative memories).
This shows different parts of the brain handle different types of memory.
Williams Syndrome:
Severely impaired in spatial abilities and arithmetic.
Social skills and language abilities are less affected, suggesting these abilities may rely on different brain systems.
Neoconstructivism
The brain develops based on both biology and life experiences.
Non-Associative Learning
Learning from repeated exposure
Non-Associative Learning
Habituation
Getting used to something over time (e.g., ignoring background noise).
Non-Associative Learning
Sensitization
Becoming more aware of something after repeated exposure (e.g., a loud noise becoming more annoying).
Associative Learning
Learning connections between things
Associative Learning
Classical Conditioning
Learning by linking two stimuli (e.g., Pavlov’s dog salivating at a bell).
Associative Learning
Operant Conditioning
Learning through rewards and punishments (e.g., doing homework for praise).
Garcia Effect
A strong dislike for a food after getting sick from it (one-time learning).
why is eyewitness not reliable
People’s memories of events can change or be inaccurate.
design stance
Assuming something works a certain way because it was made for a specific purpose.
Associative memory
Focuses on remembering relationships (e.g., a connection between two events), ignoring event details.
Episodic memory
Focuses on specific details of an event (e.g., what happened, when, and where).
