2. Mental representations of knowledge

Question 1

External representations

Answer 1

• Pictorial representations: analogous to real-world object, show all concrete attributes simultaneously
• Linguistic representations: convey info. sequentially, words capture abstract and categorical info

Question 2

Internal representations

Answer 2

• Mental imagery: mental representation of things that are not currently being sensed
• Symbolic representations:
  Dual-code theory: analogical images (logogen) vs symbold (words). Separate codes (interference in task types)
  Propositional theory: both images and verbal statements are represented in terms of their deep meaning (proposition= abstract structure in LTM, deeper meaning)

Question 3

Mental manipulation of images
Functional-equivalence hypothesis

Answer 3

we don’t construct exactly identical images, but they are functionally equivalent. These are analogues to the physical percepts

Question 4

Mental manipulation of images
Structure of images
Experiments

Answer 4

Mental operations on images are similar to those on percepts
- Mental rotation: to determine if 2 figures identical, increase rotation= takes longer
- Image scaling: faster to see details on larger images
- Image scanning: linear relationship between distances and time it takes to scan (from home to cafeteria or from class to cafeteria)

Question 5

Synthesizing images and propositions
Johnson-Laird’s mental model

Answer 5

Explanation of someone’s thought process about how something works in the real world. Representation of the surrounding world.
3 forms:
- Proposition: fully abstracted
- Mental models: knowledge structure to understand and explain experiences
- Images: specific representation

Question 6

Synthesizing images and propositions
Lateralization and experiments with blind people

Answer 6

• Right= visuospatial, left= verbal or other symbol-based knowledge
  Congenital blindness: faster response for shorter distances, involved analogous representation, haptic “imagery”
  Cotical blindness: unable to use mental imagery, preserve cognitive abilities

Question 7

Spatial cognition and cognitive maps

Answer 7

Internal representations of our physical environment, particularly centering on spatial relationships
Posterior hippocampal region (taxi)
Influences: in map we enlarge the construes we know bigger, eurocentric view of the world

Question 8

Mental schemas an cognitive schemas
Schema theory

Answer 8

Schema theory: fundamental elements that contain a prototypical view o world knowledge and ay new experience is processed in terms of that.
- World schemas: context and life experience
- Text schemas: expectations about sequencing and structural org
- Language schemas: appropriate form of linguistic patterning and style we expect from a subject

Not fixed, but culturally and historically contingent

Question 9

Mental schemas an cognitive schemas
Scripts

Answer 9

Event schemas
Sociocultutrally defined mental protocols
- Situational scripts: negotiate commonly experienced events
- Personal scripts: tell us what to do and say
- Instrumental scipts: how to do

Question 10

Categorization:
Categorization
Concepts

Answer 10

Capability to group concepts as members of a category, and then distinguish that category or kind from others.

Mental representations that we keep activated in the brains in order to establish the connection between teh real world and the subjective world

Question 11

Categorization:
Category
Cognitive economy

Answer 11

Group of objects, things, or events in the outside world

Dividing the world into classes of things to decrease amount of info we need to learn, perceive, remember and recognize. Stimulus generalization.

Question 12

Theoretical perspectives on the formation of concepts and categories:
Defining-attribute theory

Answer 12

Classical view, RULE

All members of the concept are equally representative in the category. Category hierarchies based on how many attribute are present:
- Superordinate categories
- Basic-level categories
- Subordinate categories

Question 13

Theoretical perspectives on the formation of concepts and categories:
Defining + characteristic-attribute theory

Answer 13

Classical view, EXEMPLARY
Its defining attribute theory, but + added assumption that concepts have attributes that are more or less characteristic of the item
- Defining attributes
- Characteristic attributes (typicality effect)
- Two-stage process: first all attributes are verified, then dinied.

Question 14

Theoretical perspectives on the formation of concepts and categories:
Prototype theory

Answer 14

Probabilistic view
Concepts with definitions, mental images, or typical examples (prototypes)
Categorised around central prototyoes
Family resemblances
Membership calculated base of typicality