cognition Flashcards
encoding
getting info into memory
automatic encoding
requires no effort
effortful encoding
requires attention
imagery
attaching images to information for memory
self-reference effect
we better remember things that pertain to us in some manner
dual encoding
combining different types of encoding aids in memory
chunking
break info into smaller units to aid in memory
mnemonics
shortcuts to help us remember things easier (ex: acronyms, loci, peg-word)
context dependent memory
where you learn the info you best remember the info
state-dependent memory
the physical state you were in when learning is the way you should be when studying
information processing model
sensory memory, short term memory, and long term memory
sensory memory
stores all incoming stimuli that you receive
iconic memory
visual memory
echoic memory
auditory memory
short term memory
info passes from sensory memory to short term memory
long term memory
lasts a lifetime
explicit memory
conscious recollection
episodic memory
events
semantic memory
facts
implicit memory
unconscious memory
classical conditioning priming
info that is seen earlier “primes” you to remember something later on
procedural
skills/muscle memory
hiearchies
memory is stores according to a hiearchy
semantic networks
linked memories are stored together
schemas
preexisting mental concept of how something should look
long term potentiation
neural basis of memory; connections are strengthened over time with repeated stimulation
retrieval
taking memories out of storage
serial position effect
tendency to remember things at the beginning (primacy effect) and end (recency effect) best
flashbulb memory
particularly vivid memories for highly important events
encoding failure
forget info bc it was never encoded in the first place
forgetting curve
recall decreases rapidly at first, then reaches a plateau after which little more is forgotten
proactive interference
old info blocks new info
retroactive interference
new info blocks old info
misinformation effect
distortion of memory by suggestion or misinformation
framing
the way a question is worded impacts how information is recalled
anterograde amnesia
forget new information
retrograde amnesia
forget old info
alzheimers disease
caused by destruction of actylcholine in hippocamous
phonemes
smallest unit of sound (example: ch in chat)
morpheme
smallest unit that carries meaning (ex: -ed means past tense
grammar
rules in a language that enable us to communicate
semantics
set of rules by which we derive meaning
syntax
rules for combining words into sentences
babbling stage
1st stage of speech for babies
one word stage
one word responses from babies
two word stage
two word responses from babies
behavioral theory of language development
theory by BF Skinner
learn language through positive reinforcement
imitation
kids repeat what they hear
language acquisition device theory
theory by Noam Chomsky
language is innate/biological, we are predisposed to learn
critical period
period of time where something must be learned or else it can never happen
proved by Genie experiment
linguistic determinism
theory developed by Whorf
language influences the way we think
metacognition
reflecting on the way you think
concepts
mental categories used to group objects, events, and characteristics
prototype
all instances of a concept are compared to an ideal example (what you first think of)
algorithms
step by step strategies that guarantee a solution (formula)
heuristics
mental short cut strategy to solve something
representative heuristic
make inferences based on past experiences (stereotypes)
availability heuristic
relying on information that comes quickest to mind to judge the frequency of an event (shark attack example)
functional fixedness
keep using one strategy-cannot think outside the box
belief basis
tendency of ones preexisting beliefs to distort logical reasonings by making invalid conclusions
belief preservation
tendency to cling to our beliefs in the face of a contrary device
confirmation bias
look for evidence to support what we already believe
inductive reasoning
general decision made off of a body of observations (specific to general)
deductive reasoning
specific decision based off of general info (general to specific)
divergent thinking
ability to think about many different solutions to a problem (creativity)
convergent thinking
only think of one solution, limited creativity
Cattell theory on intelligence
2 clusters of mental abilities (crystallized and fluid)
crystallized intelligence
reasoning and verbal skills (hard intelligence)
increases with age
fluid intelligence
spatial abilities, abstract thinking
decreases with age
Spearman’s G Factor
said all general intelligence (g) governs all mental abilities (IQ tests)
Gardner Intelligence Theory
8 intelligences
linguistic, logical, musical, spatial, bodily, intrapersonal (self), interpersonal (social), naturalist
Sternberg Triarchic Theory
three different intelligences: analytical, creative, and practical
Alfred Binet
developed first intelligence tests (Stanford Binet IQ Test)
IQ equation
IQ= mental age/physical age x 100
Weschler
invented Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), most commonly used today
Flynn Effect
IQ has steadily risen over the past 80 years and will continue to rise
high IQ
above 135
low IQ
below 70
what biological conditions can lead to low IQ?
PKU: liver doesn’t produce enzyme to breakdown chemicals, leads to brain damage
Down Syndrome: extra copy of 21st chromosone
Fragile X: higher change in boys
Influences on IQ
genetics and environment
aptitude test
predicts ability to learn new skill
achievement test
tests what you know
split half reliability for tests
compare two halves of tests
test-retest ability for tests
use the same test on 2 different occasions
content validity in tests
test measures what you want it to
predictive validity in tests
test can accurately predict a trait
standard deviation
measures how much scores vary from the mean
one standard deviation
68% of people, 15 points above or below average
two standard deviations
95% of people, 30 points above or below the average
zygote
0-14 days after egg is fertilized, cells are dividing
embryo
up to 9 weeks after egg is fertilized, vitals organs being formed
fetus
9 weeks-birth, overall development
teratogens
external agents that can cause abnormal prenatal development
include alcohol, drugs, etc.)
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
leads to deformities, mental disability, and death
