Case 2 Flashcards
Give the cycle of the scientific method.
- Scientific method
- Observation: noticing a phenomenon
- Hypothesis: forming a testable prediction
- Experiment/testing: conducting tests to gather data
- Analysis: reviewing and analysing results
- Conclusion: drawing conclusions
What is the link between the scientific method and popper’s philosophy.
- Link to popper’s philosophy of science:
- Induction; formulate a hypothesis based on observations
- Deduction: make experimental predictions
- Falsification
o It should be possible to experiment test the hypothesis
o Design experiments that test the limits of a theory
Explain a bit about the hypothesis from the scientific method.
Induction: Formulating theory based on observations
Deduction: Deriving hypothesis and specific predictions from the theory
Popper is a compromise between empiricism and rationalism in what way?
Popper’s philosophy of science was a compromise between empiricism and rationalism
Theory formation and falsification
- Process of observation is crucial (empiricism) (insufficient you can not only do it by observation think about the swans sitters)
- Process of falsification (rationalism)
What is mental chronometry?
the scientific studie of the speed of information processing in the human nervous sytem (it explores what influences the reaction time( ex. sleep practise, simon effect, ecperience
What did von Helmholtz do?
That measuring the time (example from someone pressing a bottom) that contains useful information from what is happening in the brain.
What underlines the idea of behaviour experiments?
That measuring the time (example from someone pressing a bottom) that contains useful information from what is happening in the brain.
Explain a bit about Donder’s methodology. (just how it works)
Three types of reaction time tasks (A-B-C)
A ; simple response time (you see stimulus and respond. (if a light lights up respond))
B; choice reaction time; respond left for left light, right for right light.
C; GO/No go; respond for left light, do not respond for right light.
Explain a bit about Donder’s methodology (brain part)
A; simple RT; detection + motor execution
B; choice RT; detection + S identification + R selection+ motor execution. (takes more time bcs you need to do more)
C; Go/no go; choice RT; detection + S identification + motor execution
Explain subtractive logic (donder’s methodology)
Stimulus identification; RT(C) – RT(A)
Response selection. RT(B) -RT(C)
What is processed faster.
Sounds auditory are processed faster responds than other stimulus modality. If you have multiple stimulus works faster than one (auditory and visual wors faster than just auditor). Also stimulus-response compatibility; as the stimulus and response are compatible with each other you are faster.
What is responsible for response inhibition.
Prefrontal brain area.
Explain the Simon effect
Responses are faster when stimulus and response are on the same side compared to when they are on opposite sides
Explain the accuracy (speed-accuracy trade off).
The faster you respond the lass accurate you are. Crucial here is the accuracy. Needs to be accounted for if you want to interparent reaction time preferences.
What is Fitts law?
Movement time to a target depends on size of a target(W) and the distance to the target (A) there is a formula difficulty index = log2(2A/W)
What is psychophysics ?
Measures the effect of the physical properties of sensory input on perception. Closely related to mental chronometry. (weber, Fechner contributing very much to the rise of experimental chronometry).
Explain Webers law.
- You are holding a 100 gram weight. Would you notice:
- A weight increase of 10 grams?
- A weight increase of 100 grams?
You are holding a 1 kg weight. Would you notice: - A weight increase of 10 grams?
- A weight increase of 100 grams?
The smallest noticeable change in a stimulus is a constant proportion of the
original stimulus intensity you notice
Psychophysics deals with tools please explain.
Discrimination threshold: point where participant can detect the presence of a difference between two stimuli
Absolute threshold : point where participant can detect presence of a stimulus.
Psychophysics deals with tools please explain the relevance for cognitive neuroscience.
- Relevance for cognitive neuroscience:
- Explore how the brain processes sensory information to construct perception.
- Variation in thresholds with learning, attention etc
What is hypothesis?
Hypothesis = specific prediction about what should be observed if a particular theory is accurate. Often specific prediction predictions about what will happen in a particular study.
- (testable and falsifiable)
- (logical)
- (framed in positive sense(presume existence rather absence of an effect)
What is theory?
Theory = a coherent explanation or interpretation of one or more phenomena
- Goes beyond explained phenomena by including processes, function. Or organizing principles that have not been directly observed directly.
- Can be (extensively) tested or untested.
Explain goal.
Goal: test hypothesis by establishing a cause-and-effect relationship
between two variables
Experiments are performed under controlled conditions
Explain independent variable
Independent variable (IV): will be deliberately manipulated in the experiment,
while trying to keep all other variables constant
Explain dependent variable.
this variable is measured after manipulating the IV
Explain control variables.
variables held constant (e.g., mean age of participant groups)
