Cognition and evolution Flashcards
Describe the Wason selection task
Cards with vowels have an even number on the other side of it, which of the 4 card do you turn over to check if the rule has been violated?
Brains make up what % of body mass, and how much % of the body’s energy
Brains make up 3% of your body mass, but use 20% of your body’s energy
Outline the computer metaphor for the brain
We can understand our behaviour as how it computes and processes info from our environment. Our brains are computational mechanisms to deal with stimuli in our env
Give Marr’s 3 levels of explanation for understanding how a system works
1) Computational theory- function of behaviour (ultimate level explanation)
2) Representation and algorithm-achievement at the computational/abstract level i.e. cognitive testing
3) Hardware implementation- physical substrates by which the computation can actually occur i.e. nuerons
What does the Muller Lyer effect tell us about how vision works?
Picking out the most relevant info- our system cant extract all info, needs to be more efficient.
Algorithms (reasoning and decision making)
> process/set of rule for calculations/computations for every possible outcome for an action/decision
computationally expensive
very rational decision-making
Heuristics (reasoning and decision making)
Loosely defined rules/ trial and error approaches to calculations
> Short cuts that not as accurate as algorithms, but less expensive
Describe the Kahnemann & Traversky bank teller problem
Description of a bank teller called Linda, who is described as being deeply involved with social issue.
Typically people choose the wrong answer (she is only a bank teller) - mislead by representative heuristic
What is a conjunction fallacy (bank teller problem) ?
For A and B to apply to something (conjunction) A has to first apply and is therefore the more likely option
Representative heuristic
We assume and make inferences about representativeness of our knowledge of a scenario/action. This is what leads to the bank teller misunderstanding
What change leads people to do better at the bank teller problem?
People do better if the bank teller problem is presented with frequency data i.e 100 people in population
Nested set, what is it and how can it help solve the bank teller problem?
Sub sets contained within a set (I.e. linda being a feminist is a sub set of her being a bank teller also)
Representative heuristic when tossing a coin
people will think HTTHHT is the correct option of what is more likely, but actually HHHTTT is equally likely
Modular reasoning and domain specific modules, which guy argued for modularity of the mind (areas designed for dealing with specific problems i.e
Brain evolved to solve specific adaptive problems.
Domain specific cognitive modules in the brain (i.e. specific processing units such as for face recognition, language)
Conditional reasoning for understanding the Wason selection task
If/then problem. IF p THEN q.
The rule involves needing to falsify hypotheses (which people often understand,)
Why is it that people commonly misunderstand and get the Wason task wrong?
WE tend to lean toward/ want to confirm hypotheses as opposed to falsifying them.
Correct cards to turn over are ‘a’ and ‘3’.
NO rule for what is behind an odd number, so need to see whats behind there
Give an example of when conditional reasoning is easier (falsification requirement)
When the scenario is not abstract (like Wason). i.e. easier when it is applied to drinking/ detecting underage drinkers
(think of the JB, eminem, beer, coke cards from lecture)
Cosmides/Tooby - altruistic detection findings?
People arent so good at detecting altruistic behaviour- since threats are more adaptive to take notice of, detect and make decisions to act
Nature of logic tasks
Deontic tasks- determines the obligations of a task i.e. detecting violators, rather than falsifying a rule (we’re good at this)
Indicative task- determines the truth and falsehood of a rule (Wason)
Rarity assumption
chances of something happening or being
Darwinian algorithm
a cheater detection module suggested as evidence for detecting rule violators, would have been adaptive in our ancestral past
What is Tooby and Cosmides ‘social contract algorithm
We’re good at detecting rule breaking.
Suggests we have a mental heuristic/system for detecting cheaters since they are threat
Nature nurture debate?
Both are essential for development, evolution
Define instinct, different from innate
Instinct- inborn behavioural tendency, present from birth
Innate- existing since birth, do not have to practice or learn such a behaviour
Imprinting and critical period
Shows innate behaviour present - little goslings imprinted onto a researcher’s welly boots as if it were their mother
Innate reflexes
Grasping, Moro reflex (extend body outward then onward), stepping
Social referencing
Getting info from parents about whether something is safe or not
i.e. visual cliff paradigm
Primary intersubjectivity
co-ordinating actions with others i.e. kid will stick out tongue if parent does
Conditioned fear
Little albert, rats/loud bang
learning and genes in conditioned fear
Monkeys and rubber snakes.
Captive monkeys learned to respond fearfully to a rubber snake when shown wild monkeys reaction to snakes. This did not work when trying to condition fear for a flower.
shows that there is something innately fearful about snakes
Theory of mind- Sally Ann test
ToM- knowing that somebody else has a distinct set of knowledge different from your own.
Children tend to pass this at 4 years old, age to pass this is continually being pushed. Term ToM first developed for use on chimps, possible that they may understand others’ mental state (false belief)
