Cognition

Question 1

Two mains views of human cognition

Answer 1

Traditional symbolic and connectionist

Question 2

Traditional symbolic

Answer 2

Human mind analogies to modern digital computer

Question 3

Connectionist

Answer 3

Cognition modelled using neurally inspired models: interconnected networks of units exhibiting learning

Question 4

What is a Framework ?

Answer 4

General set of ideas that are drawn on
Not directly testable
Evaluated on utility

Question 5

Processing themes

Answer 5

Bottom up and top down

Question 6

Bottom up

Answer 6

Stimulus, cognitive process, response

Question 7

Top down

Answer 7

Processing incoming information with reference to knowledge derived from our expectations and previous experience

Question 8

Stages (Processing themes)

Answer 8

Information is often considered to be processed as a sequence of stages

Question 9

Serial V parallel (Processing themes)

Answer 9

Do we process info as a strict sequence or can info be separately processed simultaneously

Question 10

Modularity (Processing themes)

Answer 10

An autonomous processing subsystem that is dedicated to a particular cognitive function Anatomical

Question 11

automatic v conscious (Processing themes)

Answer 11

What processing are we aware of and how does processing change over time

Question 12

Declarative knowledge

Answer 12

Knowledge is about something

Conscious access

Question 13

Procedural knowledge

Answer 13

Knowledge of how to do something

No conscious access

Question 14

Experimental cognitive psychology

Answer 14

Lab based experiments
Theoretically driven
Normal individuals

Question 15

Cognitive neuropsychology

Answer 15

Investigating patterns of cognitive impairment

Brain-damaged patients

Question 16

Computational cognitive science

Answer 16

Development of computer-based models of cognition

Question 17

Cognitive neuroscience

Answer 17

Primarily concerned with brain activity and neuro-imaging

Concerned with locating functions, in time and space within the brain

Question 18

Cognitive neuropsychologist limitations

Answer 18

Large individual differences
Patterns of damage varied
Demonstrating cause and effect difficult
Narrowly focused compared to other approaches

Question 19

Computational modelling limitations

Answer 19

Difficult to evaluate hypothesis- we need to consider human behaviour
Relevance of connectionist models

Question 20

Cognitive neuroscience techniques

Answer 20

Electrical measurements
PET
MRI
fMRI

Question 21

EEG

Answer 21

Widely used
Excellent temporal resolution
Poorer spatial resolution

Question 22

MRI

Answer 22

Provides a structural model of the brain with very good spatial resolution

Question 23

Cognitive neuroscience limitations

Answer 23

Complex cognitive tasks involve many regions of the brain
Some concerns regarding theoretical basis
Data are often averages over several people

Question 24

Traditional areas of cognitive psychology

Answer 24

Memory 
Language 
Problem solving 
Perception
Attention

Question 25

Newell and Simon (1958)

Answer 25

General problem solver

Question 26

Niesser 1967

Answer 26

Cognitive psychology textbook

Question 27

Connectionist models

Answer 27

Neuron-like units connected together
Influence other units by excitation or inhibition
Can have varying structures or layers

Question 28

PET

Answer 28

Radioactive isotopes are introduced as tags to molecules that are metabolised during brain activity.

Question 29

fMRI

Answer 29

Increasingly being used instead of PET. Based on the use of oxygen by brain tissues, which h indicates level of metabolic activity in that region

Question 30

Cognitive neuroscience limitations

Answer 30

Some concerns regarding theoretical basis
Complex cognitive tasks invoke many regions of the brain
Data are often averages over several people

Question 31

Traditional areas of cognitive psychology

Answer 31

Memory 
Language
problem solving
Perception
Attention