Cognitive & Evolutionary Psychology

Question 1

cognitive psychology

Answer 1

study of mental processes like attention, memory, language, problem-solving, creativity

Question 2

Ulric Neisser

Answer 2

credited with coining “cognitive psych” and defining it as ‘all processes by which the sensory input is transformed, reduced, elaborated, stored, recovered, and used’

Question 3

Aaron Beck

Answer 3

argued that our moods distort the way we see the world (cognitive distortions), which can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety

Question 4

Albert Bandura

Answer 4

famous for his work on aggression and observational learning

Question 5

perceived self-efficacy (PSE)

Answer 5

the belief that one has the abilities, energy, and resources needed to successfully complete a task; this influences behaviour both directly and indirectly thru cognitive, motivational, and affective processes; encourages skill usage since it encourages a certain type of mental imagery

Question 6

Suzanne Collins

Answer 6

examined the effects of PSE on cognitive skill usage by studying children at 3 levels of math ability

Question 7

to contest depressed thoughts:

Answer 7

• encourage reality testing
• record cognitions
• detect automatic thoughts
• challenge underlying assumptions

Question 8

to change PSE:

Answer 8

• associate performance experiences with positive beliefs
• modelling
• persuasion (cheerleading)
• track emotional states

Question 9

evolutionary psychology

Answer 9

examines behavioural processes in terms of their adaptive value for members of a species across many gens

Question 10

David Buss

Answer 10

argued that attractiveness is a factor of reproductive success, in that we choose our mates based on how attractive they are to us