Cognition Flashcards
Information Processing Model
Framework used by cognitive psychologists to explain and describe mental processes.
-The model likens the thinking process to how a computer works (information is stored in a hard disk, which is equivalent to the long-term memory)
How much information can be held in short-term memory?
-For short-term memory, 7 +/ - 2 chunks of info can be remembered (anywhere from 5 - 9)
–easier to remember chunks rather than individual pieces (1235 easier than 1,2,3 and 5)
—If this info isn’t rehearsed, it will be forgotten (as we know well from studying for the MCAT)
Long Term Memory
Once information in short-term memory is sufficiently rehearsed, it is stored in our long term memory
-Some postulate LTM can hold nearly infinite stores of data, but retrieval is the issue
Who was Jean Piaget and what was the foundation of his ideas on development?
Swiss psychologist known for his work on child development
- Having observed his, and other children, he came up with hypothesis which contradicted what people thought at the time
- He posited children’s intelligence grew in stages consisting of qualitative and quantitative changes in cognition from young to older children, to adults
- These observations led to his Theory of Cognitive Development
What are the stages, and associated age ranges for the Theory of Cognitive Development?
1) Sensorimotor Stage (birth - 2 years)
2) Preoperational Stage (2-7 years)
3) Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years)
4) Formal Operational Stage (12 +)
Sensorimotor Stage
(birth to 2 years) - babies get to know their world through moving and sensing via physical interactions w/ world around them
- at this stage children have trouble with object permanence-things continue to exist event when they can’t be seen
- that’s why “peekaboo” is so fascinating to them because it’s hard for them to grasp that you’re still there when they can’t see you
- infants begin to learn that they are separate beings from the peole and objects around them (forms foundation for language-to be able to name, you must be able to know the difference)
begin to understand cause and effect (their actions cause reactions in the world around them)
Preoperational Stage
(2-7 years) infants begin thinking symbolically
- a lot of language learning / development occurs
- still see the world in concrete terms
(challenging for them to think in abstract manner) - Egocentric - hard for them to see things from the perspective of others (easier to identify with self)
- Still struggle with constancy: 2 different glasses (one tall and one short), child will still choose taller thinner glass even though they’re the same
Concrete Operational Stage
(7-11 years) Children begin thinking logically about concrete events
- Conservation - they will now understand and succeed in the water glass experiment (thinking more logicaly)
- Inductive Logic - reasoning from specific info to a general principle (very important for learning)
–ie) got in trouble for drawing on desk in pencil, will also get in trouble for drawing with marker
- Still have trouble thinking abstractly / hypothetically
Less egocentric - begin to understand feelings and emotions of others
– learn they have own ideas and not everyone else will share them
Formal Operational Stage
(12 years +) Finally develop abstract reasoning skills
- capable of thinking about moral, ethical, social and political issues
- Begin using deductive logic - reason from a general principle to specific info
What are the two main types of Long Term Memory, and there definitions?
1) Explicit Memory - Conscious memory. The intentional recollection of factual information, life experiences and concepts. ie) Recalling stages and concepts of the cell cycle for bio portion of the MCAT
2) Implicit Memory - Subconscious memory or procedural memory.
ie) recalling how to perform a complex surgery a few years from now, or driving without thinking about it.
What are the two types of explicit / declarative memory and their respective definitions?
1) Episodic memory - the ability to recall and mentally reexperience specific episodes from one’s personal past and is contrasted with semantic memory.
ie) I remember how the MCAT completely took over my life for several months.
2) Semantic Memory - a portion of long-term memory that processes ideas and concepts that are not drawn from personal experience. Semantic memory includes things that are common knowledge, such as the names of colors, the sounds of letters, the capitals of countries and other basic facts acquired over a lifetime
ie) Remembering the structure of all of the alpha amino acids
Influences of aging on cognition and memory
People in later adulthood begin to experience problems w/ attention and memory.
- Procedural / implicit memory remains intact, but explicit memory (semantic / episodic) and attention decline
What can be concluded of achievement tests regarding results of observational studies assessing cultural differences in cognition?
The examples lead us to conclude that achievement tests can be culturally insensitive to differences in cognition due to culture
- establishes argument for dynamic assessment that assesses what children are capable of learning, rather than assessing skills they already know
What hereditary aspects are linked with cognition?
Processing speed and neurological efficiency both correlate very well with intelligence.
- Both factors are genetically controlled
– supports idea that intelligence is linked with heredity
What evidence provided by twin studies demostrates a correlation with IQ and heredity.
Monozygotic (identical) twins often have very similar IQ’s
- if they are separated and raised separately, they still have comparable IQs
- Identical twins in same home have 0.86 correlation in IQ
– 0.72 correlation when in different homes
- Fraternal twins in same home have 0.6 correlation in IQ
– these differences provide strong evidence that intelligence is genetically linked, but environment also plays a role
