Cognitive Exam 1 Flashcards
Reaction time refers to
how long it takes to respond to stimuli
What did Donders study
How long it takes to make a decision by measuring reaction time
Simple vs Choice reaction time
Choice reaction time is ___ longer than simple reaction time
1/10 second
What is the primary cause of dual-task cost
not being able to make 2 decisions regarding 2 stimuli at once
Perception to response time longer in task 2, response selection delayed
What did Wundt study/propose (2 items)
Structuralism & Analytic Introspection
What did Ebbinghaus study
nature of memory & forgetting, how quickly information is lost over time
Savings Method
True about Analytic Introspection (4 items)
low reliability & validity, requires intensive training, triggered behaviorism
With Simple vs Choice reaction time, why is the white placeholder for the target location used
to let participants know WHERE the target would appear, they pay attention to potential target locations
With Simple vs Choice reaction time, why does the interval between trials VARY?
so participants cannot predict WHEN target would appear
Example of the practical application of mental chronometry
GOMS model to evaluate the efficiency of NYNEX phone company’s new workstation
What is mental chronometry?
measurement of response time
What is Ebbinhaus’ savings method
the ratio of relearning time to the original learning time
Why did Ebbinghaus use the savings method to measure memory and not the number of syllables remembered
not being able to recall study material does not necessarily mean not remembering anything about the study material (i.e., you do remember something but just cannot explicitly recall it)
Example of the practical application of the savings method
Evaluating the efficiency of using the flight-training simulator
What is the primary principle of cognitive psychology?
The mind cannot be measured directly (e.g., based on subjective reporting), therefore must be inferred from observable behavior
Example of the practical application of Introspection
Think-aloud testing in user experience (UX) design (especially, usability testing)
Watson used classical conditioning to explain what?
Negative emotional response to a certain specific stimuli
The primary difference between Classical and Operant conditioning
Classical explains learning about 2 external events
Operant explains learning about agent’s behavior and consequences
What phenomena CANNOT be explained by Behaviorism (4 items)
Cognitive Map
Language Learning
AHA Experience/Insight Learning
Observational Learning
Per Tolman’s experiment, rats learn a physical map of the environment (relative position of things)…
Even though the learning process has not been explicitly reinforced or punished
Define Nerve Net Theory
Physically connected, continuous network of neurons
Golgi Method stains how many neurons
few, 1 %
What was Cajal’s stain method?
Using the Golgi stain method on infant animal brains (low cell density)
What did Edgar Adrian study? (2 items)
Pressure-Sensitive Receptors
Neurons active and at rest