CH 1 Flashcards
Cognitive science
seeks to understand information processing with regards to functions such as perception, memory, and decision making
cognition
set of processes (both conscious and unconscious) that allow us to perceive information and remember it, and reach goals by generating thoughts and actions
memory
active recording of different pieces of stimuli
cognitive model
diagram that predicts associations that lead to thought processes and behaviour
neuroscience
seeks to understand the NS in terms of structure and function
cognitive neuroscience
research discipline combining neuroscience (study of the brain) and cognitive science (study of mental processes)
Goal of cognitive neuroscience
understanding cognition in terms of underlying neural computations through 2 principles, wanting to develop neurobiologically grounded models of cognitive functions
a. Convergence
b. Complementarity
Convergence
testing a hypothesis with different method to see if the same result is produced
Can make use of meta-analysis (= combining information from different studies)
Complementarity
Different methods provide different information:
a. temporal resolution: into related to time
b. spatial result ion: info related to space
phrenology
function of a trait could be mapped by measuring bumps on the skull (Gall)
Cognitive models
- predict how sensory stimuli leads to behavioural responses
- model components are not necessarily related to physical processes in the brain
- make use of psychological constructs (such as attention, arousal)
behavioursim
perspective in cognitive psychology that holds that only directly observed behaviour, and not internal mental states, can be studied scientifically
localisation of function
idea that the brain may have distinct regions that support particular cognitive functions
