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Psych for the MCAT :) > Cognitive Psychology > Flashcards

Cognitive Psychology Flashcards

1
Q

Cognition

A

How our brain processes and reacts to information overload

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2
Q

Information Processing Model

A
  1. Thinking requires sensation, encoding and storage of stimuli
  2. Stimuli must be analyzed before a response can be useful
  3. Situational modifications - decisions previously made can be extrapolated and adjusted to solve new problems
  4. Problem solving is dependent on cognitive level, content, context and complexity of the problem
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3
Q

Cognitive Development

A

Development of ones ability to think and solve problems across the lifespan

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4
Q 
Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
                            - Alfred Binet
A

IQ = (Actual age / Mental Age) x 100

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5
Q

Fluid Intelligence

A

Problem Solving skills

Ability to quickly grasp relationships in situations and make correct deductions from them

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6
Q

Crystallized Intelligence

A

Learned skills and knowledge

Ability to understand relationships or solve problems that depend on knowledge acquired as a result of schooling or other life experiences

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7
Q

Delirium

A

Rapid fluctuation in cognitive function that is reversible and caused by medical (non-psychological) causes

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8
Q

Multiple Intelligences

A 
Linguistic
Logical (math)
Musical
Visual (spatial)
Bodily (kinesthetic)
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
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9
Q

Frame Problem

A

Create a mental image / schematic

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10
Q

Mental Set

A

Approach similar problems in the same way; Repeat solutions that worked in other situations

Past Experiences affects the strategies we use to solve problems

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11
Q

Problem Solving

A
  1. Frame Problem
  2. Potential Solutions
  3. Evaluate Results
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12
Q

Functional Fixedness

A

Inability to consider how to use a familiar object in an unfamiliar way

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13
Q

Trial and Error

A

Solutions are tried until one is found that works

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14
Q

Algorithms

A

Math formula or Instruction procedure - designed to auto produce a solution

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15
Q

Deductive Reasoning

Top - Down Reasoning

A

Start with general rules and make a conclusion from the information given

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16
Q

Inductive Reasoning

Bottom - Up Reasoning

A

Create a theory via generalizations

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17
Q

Heuristics

A

Rules of thumb; Short cuts to make decisions

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18
Q

Consciousness

A

Alertness, Sleep, Dreaming & Altered

Awareness of the world and ones existence within it

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19
Q

Alertness

A

Awake and able to think

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20
Q

Beta Waves

A

Awake, alert and attending to some mental task that requires concentration

  • high frequency
  • neurons randomly firing
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21
Q

Alpha Waves

A

Awake but relaxing with our eyes closed

  • slower frequency
  • more synchronized
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22
Q

Theta Waves

A

Sleep Stage 1: doze off

  • Slower frequency
  • Irregular and jagged waveform
  • Higher voltage
  • Sleep Spindles (shorts burst of alpha waves)

Sleep Stage 2:

  • Theta waves become slower
  • K Complexes occur
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23
Q

Delta Waves

A

Sleep Stage 3:

  • Delta waves
  • Low frequency
  • Higher voltage

Sleep Stage 4: Deepest state of sleep

  • Delta waveform reaches slowest rate
  • Sleep spindles (short bursts of alpha waves) at their steepest
  • Especially difficult to rouse someone from sleep

** Cognitive recovery, memory consolidation and Growth Hormone (GH) response

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24
Q

Rapid Eye Movement (REM)

A
  • Desynchronized / paradoxical sleep
  • Similar to Beta waves
  • Characterized by quick, random movements of the eyes and paralysis of the muscles (muscle tone remains relaxed)
  • Interspersed between cycles of NREM (non-REM) sleep stages
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25
Non-REM stages
Theta; Stages 1-2 | Delta: Stage 3-4
26
Paradoxical Sleep
Heart rate, breathing and EEG mimic wakefulness but they are actually asleep
27
Melatonin
Serotonin derived hormone from the pineal gland; responsible for circadian rhythms
28
Cortisol
Produced in the adrenal cortex and with increase when waking up / during early morning
29
Activation Synthesis Theory
Random activation of neural circuitry mimic incoming sensory information resulting in dreams
30
Problem Solving Dream
Ways to solve problems while sleeping
31
Cognitive Process
Sleeping counter part of stream of consciousness
32
Neurocognitive Models
Unify biological / psychological perspectives; correlating subjective and cognitive experience of dreaming with measurable physiological changes
33
Dyssomnias
Disorders making it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep or avoid sleep Include insomniacs, narcolepsy, sleep paralysis, sleep apnea, hypnagogic (going to bed) hallucinations and hypnopompic (waking) hallucinations
34
Parasomnias
Abnormal movements or behaviors during sleep Include night terrors and sleepwalking
35
Hypnosis
Appear to be in control of their functions but they are in a highly suggestible state
36
Depressants
Reduce nervous system activity with relaxation and by reducing anxiety
37
Alcohol
Increases activity of GABA
38
Barbiturates
Anxiety reducing sleep medication
39
Benzodiazapines
Increase activity of GABA
40
Stimulants
Increase arousal of the nervous system
41
Amphetamines
Increase dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin while decreasing their reuptake
42
Cocaine
Decrease reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin
43
Ecstacy (E)
Hallucinogen and amphetamine
44
Opiate
Natural drug that binds to opiod receptors
45
Opiods
Synthetic drug that binds to opiod receptors
46
Hallucinogens
Complex interaction of neurotransmitters; especially Serotonin
47
Marijuana
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) increases GABA and dopamine
48
Attention
Concentration on one aspect of the sensory environment (sensorium)
49
Selective Attention
Focus on one thing while ignoring other stimuli
50
Divded Attention
Ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time
51
Categorical Perception
Subtle differences in sounds of words represent a change in meaning
52
Sequential order of Brain Waves (leading to sleep)
Beta (awake) Alpha (relaxing) Theta (sleeping) Delta (deep sleep)
53
REM Rebound
When people who have been deprived of REM sleep are allowed to sleep without being disturbed they compensate by spending more time in REM sleep than usual
54
Insomnia
Affecting the ability to fall asleep / stay asleep
55
Narcolepsy
Lack of voluntary control over the onset of sleep; Consisting of sudden, brief periods of sleep
56
Sleep Apnea
Inability to breathe during sleep causing one to awaken during the night in order to breathe
57
Structuralism
Break consciousness down into its elements, or specific mental structures
58
Reaction Time
Time elapsed between a stimulus presentation and the subject's response to it
59
Creativity
A cognitive ability that results in new ways of viewing problems or situations
60
Divergent Thinking
Thinking that involves producing as many creative answers to a question as possible; Individual's thoughts diverge along multiple paths of possibilities
61
Availability Heuristics
Mental shortcut relying on immediate examples that come to mind when evaluating specific topic, concept, method or decision Trying to decide how likely something is; Making decisions based upon how easily similar instances (most readily available) can be imagined
62
Representativeness Heuristic
Making judgments about probability of an event under uncertainty; Categorizing things on the basis of whether they fit the prototypical, stereotypical or representative image of the category
63
Base Rate Fallacy
Using prototypical or stereotypical factors rather than actual numerical info. about which is more numerous
64
Triarchic Theory
Suggests that there are three aspects to intelligence: - Componential (performance on tests) - Experiential (creativity) - Contextual (street smarts / business sense)
65
"Meta"
Ability to reflect upon something
66
Metacognition
Person's ability to think about and monitor cognition
67
Metamemory
Person's ability to think about and monitor memory

Psych for the MCAT :) (8 decks)

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