Beginning Concepts in Cognitive Science Flashcards
Define cognition
mental processes that relates to; acquisition, storage, manipulation, retrieval of information, information
guides behaviour
How does cognition help us?
interpret the world, use of senses to navigate
perceive, react, process, understand, store, retrieve info - make decisions and respond to stimuli
What is the role of cognition?
controls our thoughts, behaviours by neurotransmitter systems
What brain chemicals are involved in cognitive processes?
dopamine = pleasure, satisfaction, motivation Noradrenaline = fight/flight, muscle and heart Serotonin = regulate mood Acetylcholine = parasympathetic NS, contracts muscles, blood vessels, bodily secretion, slows HR Glutamate = signals between nerve cells, learning/memory GABA = neurotransmitter in the brain, protects and calms
How cognition affects us?
cognition changing/adaption to new info, regulates behaviour
genetic + environmental
eg: FAS
Why is cognition important?
important for healthy development
deficits occur in neuropsychological disorders = biggest global health challenges/conditions associated with cognitive problems
Examples of cognitive impairment
dementia, critical brain injury/trauma, associated with obesity (impulse behaviour)
Form of cognitive measurements
cognitive assessments - measurement of abilities (memory, inhibition, etc)
computerised cognitive assessments - CANTAB
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
modify cognitive, emotional, behaviour processes
understanding thought styles and processes to explain feelings
The thought-emotion cycle (CBT)
explore meanings given to situations, emotions, biology - negative automatic thoughts (NAT)
how thoughts appraise impact of events
New behavioural directions in CBT
model of behavioural + cognitive approach
developments in theory and knowledge = elaboration of interventions (activation), behavioural perspectives on mindfulness
Foundation behaviour therapy theory
- classical conditioning tradition - Pavlov - antecedents
- reinforcement tradition - Skinner - consequences
ABC = antecedent-behaviour-consequences approach (functional analysis), functional of behaviour in its context
The operation of the ABC process
therapists - identifying triggers and consequences to encourage/discourage continuance
Identifying and working with antecedents (ABC)
recognition - questions
establishes types of triggers, factors that cause stress, interpersonal buttons
HOW modifiable they are
antecedents can be concrete external events
Identifying and modifying problematic behaviours (ABC)
more detail of behaviours as antecedents clarified
therapists - clear view on how behaviours can be modified by finding out more information on clients behaviours
Identifying and modifying consequences (ABC)
behaviours rewards/reinforced = repeated // punished = less likely
focus for change - whether changing consequences can alter situation
Behaviour change as a ‘percentage game’ (ABC)
‘percentage game’ = more you test someone the more likely they are to make mitakes
AIM - forward momentum in behaviour change, reach ‘critical mass’ leading to momentum
Behavioural activation: an intervention of choice when working with clients suffering depression
behavioural withdrawal = depression
behavioural activation develops skills in connecting with supportive environments
Since 18thC
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
‘third wave’ therapies = changing r/ships to thoughts and experiences through acceptance, compassion, mindfulness
history in spiritual traditions
Developing mindfulness and CBT for depression
depression = chronic, persistent, high relapse, episodes leading to depression
MBCT (Segal, Williams, Teasdale) prevent people from relapse = DECENTRING - ability to step back from experience and thought
Decentring and depression
experiences of depression can lead to further episodes
preventing relapse - disengage from toxic modes
decentring - change content of thinking + r/ship to thoughts/experience
Indigenous knowledge
understanding of interconnectedness between mind, bodies, world
‘going slow’ concept, stay in the moment
Neuro-decolonisation
brain science - how brain functions in a colonial situation, how mind/brain activities can change neural networks to enable overcoming effects of colonisation
What neuroscience research says
brains have capacity to change throughout our lives based on experiences
how brain changes depends on how we train the mind to engage
Define neuroplasticity
brains capacity to change to accommodate wishes/experiences
plasticity paradox (Doidge) - brain keeping bad habits and disorders
Note on negativity
Neuro-decolonisation
decolonise harmful emotions, thoughts, behaviours - acknowledge imbalance + courage to confront
brain wired for negativity - views more likely shaped by pessimism
Neuro-decolonisation defined
= understanding how the mind and brain function and are shaped by the stresses of colonialism
stressors - racism, hate crimes, loss of land, mmortality, poverty etc
systematic use of exercises to transform, delete ineffective brain networks, encourage growth of new ones
The neurobiology of mindfulness (and decolonisation)
neural systems used to achieve meditative states and determine effects of practice on structures/function
brain/processes changed by mindfulness
Neuroplasticity
= brains ability to change according to experiences
neuro = brains nerve cells
plasticity = change shape/function/neural networks to accommodate experience
The brain’s state and trait effects
state effects = changes that occur during active meditate
trait effects = changes overtime because of continuous meditation, permanent/long-lasting
optimistic traist in left side of prefrontal cortex (neurodecolonisation)
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and Executive Brain Function
mindfulness meditation activates DLPFC, associated with decision making/attention
front part of the brain - working memory, cog flexibility
EBF = intelligence, judgement, behaviour
Cognitive flexibility
= capacity to move from one task to another without difficulty
executive brain region - put off distractions/need for instant gratification
colonialism = instant gratification eg obesity
Anterior Cingulate Cortex
attention, motivation, motor control, error detection, anticipation of tasks
important in neuro-decolonisation
mindfulness = activation in cingulate cortex
Temporal Parietal Junction
activated during meditation
perceive emotional/mental state of others and respond (EI)
EI helps to understand levels of colonisation + neuro-colonisation activities that activate this part
Amygdala
limbic system - processing fear/aggression and flight/fight
role in binge drinking, psych disorders (anxiety, OCD, PTSD)
meditation quiets activity of amygdala
Insula
social emotions - lust, disgust, pride, guilt, empathy
‘gut’ feelings - awareness of internal body states
Orbital Frontal Cortex
front of the brain - internal reality check, how we come across to others
neuro-decolonisation - understand our own OFC to recognise how it operates in our own world
‘colonial brain disorder’
An Indigenous people’s neuro-decolonisation policy
oppressive colonialism - signal to brain of how we should respond
unhealthy brain = response of fear, frustration, anger, negativity
Importance of neuro-decolonisation on the brain
how human brain function in colonial setting + use of mind/brain activities can change neural networks = enable and overcome effects of colonialism
