Chapter 4 Flashcards
Selective attention
One input is attended to, rest are tuned out
Broadbent Filter Model of Selective Attention
Inputs first enter sensory buffer, and then selected/filtered by physical characteristics of the input. Information gets transformed into short term memory
Cocktail party effect
Information of importance from previously unattended channels catches your attention
Anne Treisman’s Attentuation Model
Mind has a “volume knob” that turns down sensory information vs. removing it
Selective priming
People can be selectively primed to observe something, by frequently encountering it
Spotlight model
Spotlight can beam anywhere on visual field - movement of attention, but not movement of eyes
Binding problem
Relating characteristics to a thing: if someone is too distracted, or observing two things, they might confuse the colours
Divided attention
If/when we are able to perform multiple tasks
Resource model of attention
We have a limited pool of resources on which to draw while performing tasks
Information processing models (2 assumptions)
- Information is taken from the environment
2. Information is processed in series of steps: attenion, perception and storage into memory
Alan Baddeley’s model
Short-term memory: working memory
4 components
4 components of working memory
- Phonological loop
- Visuospacial sketchpad
- Episodic buffer
- Central executive
Phonological loop
Allows us to repeat verbal information to help remember
Visuospacial sketchpad
Mental images to remember
Episodic buffer
Integrates information from phonological loop and visuospacial sketchpad with sense of time and interface with long term memory stores
Central executive
Oversees processes by phonological loop, visuospacial sketchpad and episodic buffer, and orchestrates process by shifting/dividing attention
Jean Piaget
One of first developmental psychologists
Schemas
Mental frameworks that shape and are shaped by experience
Assimilate
Conforming information into existing schemas
Accomodate
Adjusting schemas to take into account new experiences
Piaget’s 4 developmental stages
- Sensorimotor Stage
- Preoperational Stage
- Concrete Operational Stage
- Formal Operational Stage
Sensorimotor stage
Birth - 2yo
Object permanence
Preoperational stage
2-7yo
Learning about symbols - words/images
Concrete operational stage
7-11yo
Thinking logically about concrete events
Conservation
Conservation
Volume remain the same regardless of change in shape
Formal Operational Stage
12-adulthood
Abstract reasoning and moral reasoning
Heuristics
Mental shortcuts
Insight
Sudden inspiration
Confirmation bias
Tendency to search only for information that confirms preconceived thinking
Fixation
Inability to see problem from fresh perspective
Results from existence of mental set
Mental set
Tendency to fixate on solutions that works in the past, but may not apply to current situation
Functional fixation
Tendency to perceive functions of objects as fixed and unchanging
Belief bias
Tendency to judge arguments based on what one believes about their conclusions rather than logic
Belief perseverance
Tendency to cling to beliefs despite presence of contrary evidence
Over confidence
Overestimation of accuracy of knowledge and judgements
Frame
How something is presented to make it more favourable
Consciousness
Awareness we have of ourselves, our internal states, and the environment
Alertness
Ability to remain attentive to what is going on
Polysomnography
Multimodel technique to measure physiological processes during sleep
Components of polysomnography (3)
- Electroencephalogram
- Electromyogram
- Electrooculogram
Alpha waves
Awake, but sleepy and relaxed
Stage 1 sleep
non-REM sleeep
Theta waves
Stage 2 sleep
K-complexes and sleep spindles
K-complex
1/2 second
Single wave among theta waves
Sleep spindles
Bursts of waves, 12-14 hz
Stage 3 + 4 sleep
Delta waves
High-frequency waves decrease
REM sleep
Bursts of quick eye movement
Last stage of sleep
Low muscle movement - paradoxical sleep
Circadian rhythms
Biological waxing and waining of alertness over 24h day
REM rebound
Missing REM sleep one night causing increase in REM sleep next night
Manifest content
Freud believes its symbolic of underlying latent content
Latent content
Unconscious drives and wishes that are difficult to express
Activation synthesis theory
Dreams are byproducts of the brain activation during REM sleep
Dyssomnias
Abnormalities in the amount, quality, or timing of sleep, including narcolepsy, insomnia, and sleep apnea
Insomnia
Most common sleep disorder, difficulty falling or staying asleep
Narcolepsy
Periodic, overwhelming sleepiness during waking periods that last less than 5 min
NT: hypocretin
Sleep apnea
Intermittently stop breathing during sleep
Parasomnias
Abnormal behaviours that occur during sleep
Somnabulism
Sleep walking
During slow wave sleep - stage 3
Night terrors
Occur during stage 3
Hypnotism
Social interaction in which hypnotist: allowing them to let go
Not everyone is as susceptible
False memories
Using imagination to create inaccurate memories
Dissociation theory
Hypnotism is an extreme form of divided consciousness
Social influence theory
People do and report what’s expected of them: such as an actor lost in their roll
(Re: hypnotism)
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Protocol commonly used in medical setting to alleviate stress
Depressants
Drugs that depress neural activity
Barbiturates
Depress sympathetic nervous system
Opiates
Derivatives of opium
Depress neural functioning
Reduce pain by mimicking brain’s pain relievers (endorphins)
Hallucinogens
Psychedelics
Distort perceptions in absence of sensory input
Psychological dependence
Use of drugs due to painful emotions
Physical dependence
Evidenced by withdrawal
Nucleus accumbens
Pleasure center of the brain
3 components of emotion
- Physiological
- Behavioural
- Cognitive
Universal emotions
6
Happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, anger
Yerkes-Dodson Law
Relationship between performance and emotion is upsidedown U
James-Lange Theory
We experience the physiological arousal, and then understand what emotion it is attributed to (1-1 correlation between physical state and emotion)
Cannon-Bard Theory
After a stimulus, the physiological response and experience of emotion occur simultaneously and independently
Schachter-Singer Theory
Once we experience physiological arousal, we make a conscious cognitive interpretation based on our circumstances that allow us to identify the emotion we are experiencing
Limbic system
Collection of structures that lie on both side of thalamus, primarily responsible for emotional experiences
Hippocampus
Part of the limbic system
Responsible for memories
Phineas Gage
Damage to prefrontal cortex during work, became different person: impulsive, lacking empathy
Appraisal
How stressful an event is to an individual
Catastrophes
Unpredictable, large-scale events
Dangerous and stress-inducing
Significant life changes
Common in young adults, cause high levels of sress
Daily hassles
Everyday irritants
Can accumulate and lead to health problems
Learned helplessness
Sense of exhaustion and lack of belief in ability to manage situations
Caused by perceived lack of control over situations
Cortisol
Glucocorticoid, shifts body form using sugar, towards fat
Broca’s Area
Located in dominant hemisphere (left) in frontal lobe
Speech production
Wernicke’s area
Posterior section of temporal lobe
Comprehension of speech and written language
