Cognitive Approach Theory Flashcards
What is the Multi-Store Model of Memory?
Proposed by Atkinson & Shiffrin
Environmental stimuli enters into sensory store via all senses where remains for 2s, can hold at least 12 items
If full attention paid, enters STM/S where can last from 18-30s, can hold 7 plus or minus 2 items, encoding occurs mainly acoustically
For something to then transfer to LTM/S, rehearsal must occur, unlimited capacity & duration, encoded semantically
What is the Working Memory Model?
Baddely & Hitch
Central executive: allocates resources & directs attention to other parts of model
Phonological loop: consisting of articulatory control loop (your inner voice) & phonological store (inner ear), controls auditory info
Visuospatial sketch pad: visual & spatial info processed e.g how things look & where situated
Episodic buffer: Late addition, back-up to account for things using visual & acoustic info
What is Schema Theory?
Schemas = mental representations derived from prior knowledge & experience which help us predict what to expect, they are frameworks to aid future understanding and organise current knowledge
Schema theory = based on idea that humans are active processors of info, new info is processed in light of existing schema, so schemas influence our behaviour & cognitive processes
Social schemas = schemas about others e.g. stereotypes
Scripts = schema about sequences of events e.g. going to a restaurant
Self-schemas = mental representations of ourselves
Formed through assimilation where when we encounter something incongruent w/ current schema can add this to it so we will be prepped in future w/ this situation
Often only notice things in line with schema, ignoring things that disapprove it
Influence encoding & retrieval of memories
What are the System Models of Thinking?
Daniel Kahneman proposed 2 systems: system 1 & 2 that we use to think (dual processing model)
System 1 = fast, instinctive, emotional e.g. deciding what lunch
System 2 = slower, effortful, laborious e.g. deciding which uni
Naturally people use shortcuts/simplified strategies (heuristics) to save energy and time which often based on experience and don’t have time to employ more analytical, slow thinking in everyday life yet these heuristics can lead to cognitive biases where individual deviates from rationality & creates their own construction of reality based on schemas etc
Can be due to anchoring bias - tendency to rely too heavily on first piece of info offered when making decisions
What is Reconstructive Memory?
Phenomenon where our memories not saved as complete, coherent wholes
When recalling info, memories pieced back together to form a whole which differs from original as factors affect reconstructive process e.g schemas (preconceived ideas learned from past experience - office study?) & post-event info & leading questions (misinformation effect)
What we encode initially impacted too
Misconception: memory like video recording, previously thought mind akin to a computer
What are some Biases in Thinking?
Confirmation bias = tendency to look for info that supports rather than rejects one’s preconceptions, by interpreting evidence to confirm existing beliefs & ignoring conflicting data e.g. of a certain social group
Anchoring bias = tendency to rely too heavily on first piece of info offered when making decisions
What is Flashbulb Memory?
Brown & Kulik
Highly detailed, exceptionally vivid snapshot of moment when a surprising & emotionally arousing event happened
Proposed existence of special biological mechanism that leads to emotional arousal triggered by event exceeding critical levels of surprise creates unforgettable record of details surrounding experience
Must also have personal significance to create unique FBM
Over/covert rehearsal plays role in formation/maintenance
Now: supported by modern day neuroscience
When adrenaline reaches brain activates amygdala in limbic system to send message that something important has occurred
Amygdala plays key role in creation of emotional memories
