Cognition

Question 1

What are the main ideas offered by information processing theory about L2 learning?

Answer 1

1) Human cognitive structure is made of Representation (Long Term) and Access (Working Memory).
2) Mental Processing (Access) is comprised of Automatic/Fluent computation and Voluntary/Controlled computation.
3) Cognitive resources like Attention and Memory are limited.

Question 2

What is meant by Representation and Access in terms of Cognition?

Answer 2

Representation is the overall knowledge (the library), whereas Access is processing (the ability to add or retrieve info from the library)

Question 3

What is meant by Automatic and Controlled Processing?

Answer 3

Both are form of Access.

• Automatic is done from bottom-up, as in done without thinking.
• Controlled is done top-down, as in goal directed. This is handled by what is called the central executive.

Question 4

What does the Limited Capacity Model state about Access?

Answer 4

-Controlled Processing is more variable and more vulnerable to stressors than Automatic Processing.

Question 5

How does Skill Acquisition Theory define learning?

Answer 5

Learning is the gradual process of transforming information from controlled to automatic processing.

• This process is also known as Proceduralization or Automatization.
• Also described as a transformation from Explicit to Implicit knowledge.

Question 6

What is Proceduralization or Automatization?

Answer 6

• The gradual process of transforming information from controlled to automatic processing.
• Also described as a transformation from Explicit to Implicit knowledge.

Question 7

What is defined by the Power Law of Learning?

Answer 7

The more knowledge is accessed through practice the easier it is to access.
-The Power Law of Learning states however that practice will eventually yield little to no outcomes.

Question 8

What is Long-Term memory and what does it mean to know something?

Answer 8

Long-Term memory is the Representation of knowledge in the mind. How well something (a word) is known depends on the word’s:

• Strength = The degree of proceduralization
• Size = How many words are known
• Depth = How well the word is really known. How is it used, spelled sounds, what relative words there are.)

Question 9

What is working memory? How does it influence SLA?

Answer 9

The Working Memory is the Access part of cognition.

• Working Memory is limited in capacity.
• People with better working memories generally can learn a language more efficiently.
• This is working memory allows for a greater ability to control attention.

Question 10

How does Attention influence L2 learning? What are the three types of attention conditions?

Answer 10

• Working memory is essentially limited, because Attention is limited. Access controls attention to the consciousness, which thereby affects what is learned.
  1) Incidental: Learning without intention
  2) Implicit: Learning without clearly stated rules (Picking up on cases through speaking)
  3) Explicit: Learning with clearly stated rules (the rules to cases in German)

Question 11

Can something be learned without Attention?

Answer 11

No consensus yet if Detection (registration outside the focal selective) is sufficient to learning.