Cognition Flashcards
What is function fixedness?
A type of cognitive bias that causes a person to observe the function of things as static. That is an object can only have certain functions. Usually occurs starting age 7 (concrete operational stage of development).
Define mental set
When an individuals uses the same strategy/method as they’ve used in the past to solve current problems which are different.
IQ test
A test which measures the mental age of a person. Standard deviation is 15 and the average IQ is 100.
Centration
When a child focuses on one aspect of a situation while disregarding all other aspects
4 stages of Piaget’s development
Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational
What is a semantic network?
It is a model of how our brain organizes information in our LTM based on ideas/concepts with similar meanings. Each concept is a node and each node is connected to other nodes by lines or arrows.
The length of the arrows is inversely proportional to the strength of the relationship.
What is spreading activation?
How our semantic network processes the recall of information. For example when one node/concept is activated, nodes linked closely to it are also activated more rapidly and unconsciously. Nodes further away take longer to activate and some don’t.
Heuristic problem solving
Using mental shortcuts (likely formed by past experiences) to solve problems
Algorithm problem solving
Using rules, logical steps, and statistical analysis to solve a problem
What is a schema?
Conceptual categories in our mind which helps us process new information & determine one’s expectations in different contexts
Piaget said this is what children use to learn new things about the world.
What is assimilation vs accommodation?
Assimilation is placing new information into an existing schema.
Accommodation is changing the schema or creating a new schema to accommodate/fit in the new information.
What does Weber’s law state?
It says that the just noticeable difference of a stimulus is a ratio of the original stimulus
What is cognitive dissonance?
It is when a person has a conflicting belief and action, which brings them discomfort. It is usually dealt with either one of four ways:
-Modifying 1 cognition
-Trivializing (making 1 contradicting thought less important, such as saying “oh there is no evidence to support this)
-Adding more cognitions
-Denying that a relationship exists between the 2 cognitions
AAMC SB #84: Cognitive Dissonance Theory
Says that people that have cognitive dissonance tend to change their attitudes to match their behaviors, RATHER than change their behavior
What is fluid intelligence and give an example?
Intelligence that doesn’t involve experiential knowledge, uses abstract and logical reasoning to solve problems. Example is trying to come up with a strategy to solve a statistics problem or trying to properly diagnose a patient presenting with symptoms across several psychiatric illnesses.
What is crystallized intelligence?
Intelligence that is based on previous knowledge. An example would be solving a physics problem based on a formula that you learned in class.
What is g intelligence (g factor)?
A general intelligence coined by Charles Spearman who thought that everyone possessed it.
Evidence suggests in standard testing that people who score well on the reading section also tend to do well on the math section.
Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences
Grader said that we have 8 types of intelligences being: musical, spatial, kinesthetic, linguistic, mathematical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, etc.
(Not much evidence to support this theory)
Triarchic theory of intelligence
Developed by Robert Sternberg who said that we have 3 types of intelligences: analytical, creative, and practical. These are based on things that contribute to success in the real world.
What is conduction aphasia?
It is the inability to repeat words that you have just heard, even though you understood them. This is caused by damage to the arcuate fasiculus which connects the Broca and Wernicke’s areas together.
Anchoring heuristic
A cognitive bias where we rely too heavily on the first piece of info we are given on a topic
Availability heuristic
A cognitive bias where we attempt to solve a problem or make a decision based on whatever comes to mind first (available in memory)
Interpersonal intelligence
The ability to understand and emphasize with other people
What is confirmation bias
Actively seeking out information that only supports your views/thesis
What is hindsight bias?
Cognitive bias where people predicted they knew what would happen in the future even though the event/thing already happened
What is belief perseverance?
When someone holds onto their belief even when presented evident to the contrary
What is the representiveness heuristic?
A mental shortcut a person uses when they try to solve a problem/judge a situation based on how similar the aspects are to prototypes or stereotypes.
(Assuming the woman in scrubs is a nurse and asking her for a pillow).
What is the familiarity heuristic?
A mental shortcut which uses past familiar experiences/actions to help us judge/decide a choice in a new situation.
Piaget’s 1st stage of development
Sensorimotor stage (0-1.5 years) - child develops object permanence, stranger axiety
Piaget’s 2nd stage of development
Preoperational stage (2-7 years) - child learns to speak and is egocentric, child learns that objects and ideas can be symbolized images and words
Piaget’s 3rd stage of development
Concrete operational (7-12 years) - child learns math, can engage in inductive reasoning, and understands conservation
Piaget’s 4th stage of development
Formal operational (12+ years) - child learns abstract logic and moral reasoning develops, engage in hypothetical questioning
What is intrapersonal intelligence?
A person’s ability to be in tune with their own emotions and themself
Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development
He believed that children’s cognitive development is based on social interaction and the internalization of various aspects of culture such as language and rules.
Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development
A zone that the child is in when a certain set of skills and abilities are in the process of development and the child still needs help from a “more knowledgeable other” to learn that skill.
Inductive reasoning
Relies on specific details, collecting evidence, observations to form a general conclusion. Bottom up approach
Deductive reasoning
Making a detailed inference based on general premises, top down approach. If the premises are true and reasoning is valid, then the more specific conclusion is true.
Think of D for deductive and down.
What does the disassociation theory of hypnosis say?
It says that in order for hypnosis to occur, splitting the central control of thought process with the hypnotist allows them to obtain control
What did Vygotsky say about the relationship between cognition and language?
He was in the middle of the spectrum, said that cognition and language develop at the same time, but independently. They merge later on.
What is the focus of cognitive behavioral therapy?
- Attempts to change negative thoughts and beliefs, as well as maladaptive behaviors.
- Focuses on self talk and desensitization to replace destructive thoughts with healthy ones.
What is the Lazarus theory of emotion?
Says that cognitive appraisal (labeling) comes first, then physiological response and emotion simultaneously
Is this an example of inductive or deductive reasoning?:
All mammals have lungs. Dolphins are mammals. Therefore, dolphins have lungs.
Deductive reasoning.
Define absolute threshold
The minimum stimulus a person can detect at least 50% of the time
Define just noticeable difference (JND)/difference threshold
The minimum difference that a person can detect when a stimulus changes or between two different stimuli
Weber’s Law
k = ∆I/I
k is Weber’s constant (JND %)
∆I is the difference threshold (subtract the two stimulus intensities)
I is the initial stimulus
