Cognition, Consciousness, and Language Flashcards by Yvonne Pham

how our brains process and react to the information overload presented to us by the world

cognition

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states that the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information much like a computer

information processing model

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development of one’s ability to think and solve problems

cognitive development

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Piaget’s stages of cognitive development

sensorimotor (0-2), preoperational (2-7), concrete operational (7-12), and formal operational (12+)

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one of Piaget’s stages of cognitive development:

focuses on manipulating environment to meet physical needs through circular reaction; object permanence ends stage

sensorimotor stage (0-2)

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one of Piaget’s stages of cognitive development:

focuses on symbolic thinking, egocentrism, and centration

preoperational stage (2-7)

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inability to imagine what another person may think or feel

egocentrism

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tendency to focus on only one aspect of a phenomenon

centration

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one of Piaget’s stages of cognitive development:

focuses on understanding the feelings of others and manipulating physical objects

concrete operational stage (7-12)

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one of Piaget’s stages of cognitive development:

focuses on abstract thought and problem solving

formal operational stage (12+)

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intelligence that consists of solving new or novel problems, possibly using creative methods

fluid intelligence

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intelligence related to solving problems using acquired knowledge, often can be procedural

crystallized intelligence

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causes normal mild level of cognitive decline

aging

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disorders and conditions characterized by general loss of cognitive function

dementia

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organic brain disorders, genetic and chromosomal conditions, metabolic derangements, and drug use are _____ that affect _____

biological factors that affect cognition

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pattern of approach for a given problem

mental set

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inability to consider how to use an object in a nontraditional manner

functional fixedness

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type of problem solving:

various solutions are tried until one is found to work

trial-and-error

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type of problem solving:

formula or procedure for solving a certain type of problem

algorithm

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type of problem solving:

starts from set of general rules and draws conclusions from information given

deductive (top-down) reasoning

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type of problem solving:

seeks to create a theory via generalizations

inductive (bottom-up) reasoning

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shortcuts or rules of thumb used to make a decision

heuristics

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exist when an experimenter or decision maker is unable to objectively evaluate information

biases

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tendency to focus on information that fits an individuals beliefs

confirmation bias

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a "gut feeling" regarding a particular decision

intuition

subjective experience of a person in a certain situation; how a person feels often influences how a person thinks and makes decisions

emotion

Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences

proposes 9 areas of intelligence: ``` logical-mathematical verbal-linguistic spatial-visual body-kinesthetic interpersonal intrapersonal musical naturalist existential ```

theory of primary mental abilities

7 factors of intelligence: ``` word fluency verbal comprehension spatial reasoning perceptual speed numeric ability inductive reasoning memory ```

intelligence that involves ability to evaluate and reason

analytical intelligence

intelligence that involves ability to solve problems using novel methods

creative intelligence

intelligence that involves dealing with every day problems at home or at work

practical intelligence

intelligence that refers to the ability to perceive, express, understand, and manage one's emotions

emotional intelligence

underlying variable of intelligence, often measured with standardized tests (such as Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale)

intelligence quotient (IQ)

state of being awake and able to think, perceive, process, and express information, β and α waves predominate on EEG

alertness

stage of sleep: | lightest sleep dominated by theta waves on EEG

stage 1

stage of sleep: | slightly deeper sleep than stage 1; includes theta waves, sleep spindles, and K complexes

stage 2

bursts of high-frequency waves during sleep

sleep spindles

singular high amplitude waves during sleep

K complexes

stage of sleep: | deep (slow-wave) sleep (SWS); delta waves predominate EEG

stages 3 and 4

includes stages 3 and 4 of sleep

NREM (non-rapid eye movement)

beta waves (mind appears close to awake on EEG, but is asleep); eye movements and body paralysis occur in this stage; more frequent toward the morning

REM (rapid eye movement)

refers to single complete progression through sleep stages; approximately 90 minutes for adults, normal cycle is stage 1-2-3-4-3-2-REM or just 1-2-3-4-REM

sleep cycle

changes in lighting in the evening trigger release by pineal gland resulting in sleepiness

melatonin

levels increase in early morning to help promote wakefulness

cortisol

mostly occurs during REM sleep

dreaming

include dyssomnias (insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, sleep deprivation) and parasomnias (night terrors, sleep walking)

sleep-wake disorders

disorders that make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or avoid sleep

dyssomnias

abnormal movements or behaviors during sleep

parasomnias

state of consciousness in which individuals appear to be in control of normal functions, but are in highly suggestible state; often used for pain control, psychological therapy, memory enhancement, weight loss, and smoking cessation

hypnosis

involves a quieting of the mind and is often used for relief of anxiety

meditation

reduce nervous system activity, resulting in sense of relaxation and reduced anxiety; includes alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines that promote or mimic GABA activity in brain

depressants

cause an increase in arousal in the nervous system by increasing dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin concentration at the synaptic cleft; include amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy

stimulants

naturally occurring forms of opium; type of narcotic (painkiller); include morphine and codeine

opiates

synthetic derivatives of opium; type of narcotic (painkiller); include oxycodone, hydrocodone, and heroin

opioids

drugs which typically cause introspection, distortions of reality and fantasy, and enhancement of sensory experiences; include LSD, peyote, mescaline, ketamine, and psilocybin-containing mushrooms

hallucinogens

which is the psychoactive drug with lowest risk of dependence: stimulants, hallucinogens, alcohol, or sedatives

hallucinogens

has depressant, stimulant, and hallucinogenic effects, active ingredient is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

marijuana

pathway that mediates drug addiction; includes nucleus accumbens, medial forebrain bundle, and ventral tegmental area; dopamine is the main neurotransmitter in this pathway

mesolimbic pathway

allows one to pay attention to a particular stimulus while determining if additional stimuli in the background require attention

selective attention

uses automatic processing to pay attention to multiple activities at once

divided attention

consists of phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics

language

refers to the actual sound of speech

phonology

refers to building blocks of words, such as rules for pluralization (-s) or past tense (-ed)

morphology

refers to the association of meaning with words

semantics

refers to the rules dictating word order

syntax

refers to the change in language delivery depending on context

pragmatics

explains language acquisition as being innate and controlled by the language acquisition device (LAD)

nativist (biological) theory

explains language acquisition as being controlled by operant conditioning and reinforcement by parents and caregivers

learning (behaviorist) theory

explains language acquisition as being caused by a motivation to communicate and interact with others

social interactionist theory

states that the lens through which we view and interpret the world is created by language

Linguistic relativity (Whorfian hypothesis)

states that language determines thought completely

Strong Linguistic Determinism (Sapir-Whorfian Hypothesis)

controls motor function of speech; damage can result in ____ aphasia

Broca's area (Broca's aphasia)

nonfluent aphasia in which generating each word requires great effort

Broca's aphasia

controls language comprehension; damage can result in _____ aphasia

Wernicke's area (Wernicke's aphasia)

fluent, nonsensical aphasia with lack of comprehension

Wernicke's aphasia

connects Wernicke's area and Broca's area; damage results in conduction aphasia

arcuate fasiculus

aphasia marked by inability to repeat words heard despite intact speech generation and comprehension

conduction aphasia

is a systemic error made by study participants who forget or omit details from the data collection

recall bias

occurs when information collected to quantify a particular disease outcome is incorrect

measurement bias

explains the process through which two variables are related

meditating variable (mediator)

dream theory: | attributes dreams to random neuronal activity; dreams are activated in the brainstem and synthesized in the cortex

activation synthesis theory

dream theory: | states that dreams are a way to solve problems during sleep

problem solving dream theory

dream theory: | states that dreams arise from the stream of consciousness being continuous during arousal and sleep

cognitive process dream theory

dream theory: | combines biological and psychological perspectives of dreaming with physiological change

neurocognitive model of dreaming