Cognition, consciousness, and language (BS 4) Flashcards
cognitive development
Developing the ability to think and solve problems
dual coding theory
visual and verbal associations are used to encode and retrieve information
information processing model
cognition involves info intake, analysis, situational modification, and problem solving (depends on content/complexity of problem)
Piaget’s stages of cognitive development
divides the lifespan into sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages
sensorimotor stage (Piaget stage 1)
birth-2yrs a child learns to manipulate the environment via repetitive primary and secondary circular reactions; ends when child develops object permanence (objects continue to exist out of view)
preoperational stage (Piaget stage 2)
2-7yrs a child develops symbolic thinking (play pretend), egocentrism (inability to understand how others think/feel), and centration
concrete operational stage (Piaget stage 3)
7-11yrs a child can understand conservation and consider the perspectives of others, they can also engage in logical thought when working with concrete objects
formal operational stage (Piaget stage 4)
starts ~11yrs when children learn to think logically about abstract ideas
Vygotsky’s theory
childhood internalization of culture drives cognitive development
functional fixedness
the inability to consider how to use an object beyond usual purpose
heuristics
rules of thumb or shortcuts to make decisions in problem solving
availability heuristic
a shortcut that relies on information hat is most readily available instead of all the information on the subject
representativeness heuristic
a shortcut that relies on categorizing items on the basis of whether they fit the stereotypical image of the category
confirmation bias
the tendency to focus on information that fits an individual’s beliefs and rejecting information that goes against them
recognition-primed decision model
experience and recognition of similar situations one has already experienced play a role in decision making actions; explains intuition
multiple intelligences
intelligence may exist in multiple areas, not just in the areas typically assessed by traditional intelligence tests
intelligence quotient
numerical measurement of intelligence; IQ tests pioneered by Binet
REM sleep
arousal levels reach that of wakefulness but the muscles are paralyzed
sleep hormones
melatonin (pineal gland), cortisol (from adrenal cortex), ACTH (hypothalamus triggers anterior pituitary with CRF)
depressants
drugs that reduce nervous system activity resulting in a sense of relaxation and reduced anxiety (ex. alcohol)
alcohol
a depressant that increases activity of the GABA receptor which causes hyperpolarization of the membrane causing decreased arousal, also increases dopamine causing mild euphoria
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
caused by thiamine deficiency, common in alcoholics and characterized by severe memory impairment with changes in mental status and loss of motor skills
barbiturates and benzodiazepines
anxiety reducing medications that increase GABA activity causing a sense of relaxation; highly addictive
stimulants
increase arousal in the nervous system, includes amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy; cause increased arousal by increasing release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (decrease in reuptake)
opiates and opioids
opiates are naturally ocurring (morphine, codeine), opioids are semisynthetic derivatives (oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin); bind to opioid receptors in PNS and CNS causing decreased reaction to pain and a sense of euphoria
hallucinogens
work through a complex interaction between various neurotransmitters, especially serotonin; includes LSD and mushrooms
marijuana
active chemical THC acts on cannabinoid receptors, glycine receptors, and opioid receptors; THC inhibits GABA activity and indirectly increases dopamine activity
mesolimbic reward pathway
one of four dopaminergic pathways in the brain and is related to drug addiction; contains nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, and the medial forebrain bundle
phonology
the sound of a language; english contains about 40 phonemes; categorical perception is the ability to perceive subtle differences in speech sounds
morphology
the structure of words, built by morphemes
semantics
the association of meaning with a word
syntax
how words are put together to form sentences
pragmatics
the dependence of language on context and preexisting knowledge; the way we speak may differ by audience and our relationship to the audience
timeline of language development
9-12mo babbling, 12-18mo one word per month, 18-20mo language explosion and word combination, 2-3yrs longer sentences, 5yrs language rules largely mastered
nativist (biological) theory of language
Noam Chomsky posits the existence of an innate capacity for language, referred to as the language acquisition device; belief in a critical period for acquisition
learning (behaviorist) theory of language
B. F. Skinner explains language acquisition by reinforcement; caregivers repeat and reinforce sounds and over time infants perceive certain sounds as valuable
social interactionist theory of language
focused on the interplay between biological and social processes; language is driven by the child’s desire to communicate and behave in a social manner
Whorfian hypothesis
linguistic relativity hypothesis
suggests that one’s perception of reality is largely determined by the content, form, and structure of language
Broca’s and Wernicke’s area
Broca’s area is located in the frontal lobe and controls speech production, Wernicke’s area is in the temporal lobe and is responsible for language comprehension; connected by the arcuate fasciculus
aphasia
a deficit in language production or comprehension; damage to Broca’s inhibits language production, damage to Wernicke’s results in a loss of comprehension of speech
