Ch. 1 Important Theories Flashcards
Automaticity
Refers to automatic processing- does not require a lot of cognitive effort.
Effortful processing
not automatic processing, requires greater effort eg reading for dyslexics
Brain behavior relationship
role the brain plains in human behavior: cognition, emotion, sensory motor and related abilities
Localization/Domain Specific Theory
discovery that discrete brain regions underlie specific cognitive, motor and other functions. ie Alexia without agraphia is evidence of this
Central Executive
Badeleys term for the system of control and regulation of cognitive processes. PFC region regulates attention, WM and memory.
Executive Functions
Regulatory mechanisms responsible for higher level functions: organization, reasoning, flexibility, initiation contextual shifting and updating and related skills: PFC and related regions
Equipotentiality
Lashley- intact brain regions can carry out functions of damaged brain regions. Brain has capacity to carry functional memory from damaged to intact region.
Modular/Localization view
Discrete brain regions are responsible for specific mental and behavioral functions. Different parts of the brain do different things. ie. expressive speech is governed by Brocas area on left frontal lobe.
Two-streams hypothesis
As visual information leaves the occipital lobe it follows two main streams/paths: Dorsal & Ventral.
Dorsal: Objects location (where)
Ventral: Object knowledge (what)
exists for auditory input as well
Whole Brain/Domain General Theory
PFC is the processor and whole brain acts in concert to produce function. Ie gestalt psychologists believe that visual perception is a whole brain phenomenon making discrete visual images into a whole. also concept of “g” SUPPLANTED BY LOCALIZATION THEORY
Cerebral Reserve theory
Some people with AZ did not show pathology changes so brain reserve can protect from clinical symptom manifestations
Dominant hemisphere theory
Left=dominant verbal, right= non-dominant non verbal. ; this theory is no longer followed since R hemisphere functions began to be appreciated. Nonverbal perceptual functions became a focus of research and were found dominant in the right brain for some tasks. Alternative terms were proposed for the left side, such as “language-dominant brain.”
