3A Self: Cognition Flashcards
Define cognitive skills, and give examples of some.
Brain-based abilities we need to carry out any task from the simplest to the most complex.
E.g. problem solving, memory, planning, perception, judgement, language
Define sensation.
The process by which sensory organs detect stimuli from the environment and transmit information to the brain for interpretation
Define perception.
The mental process of receiving, organising and interpreting information received by our sense organs into meaningful objects and events
What stimuli is an individual most likely to pay attention to?
- Stimuli which is important to the individual
- Stimuli which is new or unusual
Name the ways in which human cognitive processing is like that of a computer.
- Both have limited capacity
- Both take in info, process it and produce output
- The brain is like the hardware of the computer
- Strategies and rules for processing info is like the software
- Info can be stored and retrieved from the memory like a hard drive
What are the symptoms of ADHD inattention?
Do not listen when spoken to, difficulty keeping attention, poor organisational skills
What are the symptoms of ADHD hyperactivity?
Fidgets, squirms, excessive talking, interrupts, intrudes, difficulty waiting
What symptoms does a person have to exhibit to be diagnosed with combined type ADHD?
- Six or more symptoms of inattention
- AND six or more symptoms of hyperactivity
- For at least 6 months
- Present in two or more settings
What are some consequences of ADHD?
- Causes problems at home, in school and socially
- Students get lower marks in school due to factors such as inattention
- Have difficulty making and keeping friends
What did Barkley (1997) propose that was the main deficit of ADHD?
That poor behavioural inhabitation is the main deficit of ADHD, which leads to secondary impairments in executive control processes where the ability to sustain attention and plan breaks down.
How is ADHD treated through pharmacological means?
Medication such as Ritalin is a CNS stimulant, which has a calming and focusing effect for 70% of people with ADHD. It increases levels of dopamine, which increases levels of focus and attention. People with ADHD are said to lack dopamine.
What has research proven about people who take the recommended mediation and dosage for treatment of ADHD?
That they do not become dependent on the drug
How do behaviour modification programs help treat ADHD?
- It is used to change and modify unwanted behaviours and strengthen desirable behaviours
- It may help a person become less impulsive and stay on task, where positive reinforcement is used for desirable behaviours
What types of systems are used in behaviour modification to reward the client?
- Behaviour contracts: all parties agree on the extent to which a behaviour must be changed in order to be rewarded
- Token economies: tokens are given and when a certain amount is reached the can be exchanged for reward
What does parent/caregiver education teach parents in order to treat ADHD?
- Has immediate and longer term effects
- Teaches them to set limits, routines, dealing with aggression and negative behaviour and access to services
