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Psych for the MCAT :) > Cognitive Psychology > Flashcards

Cognitive Psychology Flashcards

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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
Q

Non-REM stages

A

Theta; Stages 1-2

Delta: Stage 3-4

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26
Q

Paradoxical Sleep

A

Heart rate, breathing and EEG mimic wakefulness but they are actually asleep

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27
Q

Melatonin

A

Serotonin derived hormone from the pineal gland; responsible for circadian rhythms

28
Q

Cortisol

A

Produced in the adrenal cortex and with increase when waking up / during early morning

29
Q

Activation Synthesis Theory

A

Random activation of neural circuitry mimic incoming sensory information resulting in dreams

30
Q

Problem Solving Dream

A

Ways to solve problems while sleeping

31
Q

Cognitive Process

A

Sleeping counter part of stream of consciousness

32
Q

Neurocognitive Models

A

Unify biological / psychological perspectives; correlating subjective and cognitive experience of dreaming with measurable physiological changes

33
Q

Dyssomnias

A

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
Q

Parasomnias

A

Abnormal movements or behaviors during sleep

Include night terrors and sleepwalking

35
Q

Hypnosis

A

Appear to be in control of their functions but they are in a highly suggestible state

36
Q

Depressants

A

Reduce nervous system activity with relaxation and by reducing anxiety

37
Q

Alcohol

A

Increases activity of GABA

38
Q

Barbiturates

A

Anxiety reducing sleep medication

39
Q

Benzodiazapines

A

Increase activity of GABA

40
Q

Stimulants

A

Increase arousal of the nervous system

41
Q

Amphetamines

A

Increase dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin while decreasing their reuptake

42
Q

Cocaine

A

Decrease reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin

43
Q

Ecstacy (E)

A

Hallucinogen and amphetamine

44
Q

Opiate

A

Natural drug that binds to opiod receptors

45
Q

Opiods

A

Synthetic drug that binds to opiod receptors

46
Q

Hallucinogens

A

Complex interaction of neurotransmitters; especially Serotonin

47
Q

Marijuana

A

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) increases GABA and dopamine

48
Q

Attention

A

Concentration on one aspect of the sensory environment (sensorium)

49
Q

Selective Attention

A

Focus on one thing while ignoring other stimuli

50
Q

Divded Attention

A

Ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time

51
Q

Categorical Perception

A

Subtle differences in sounds of words represent a change in meaning

52
Q

Sequential order of Brain Waves (leading to sleep)

A

Beta (awake)
Alpha (relaxing)
Theta (sleeping)
Delta (deep sleep)

53
Q

REM Rebound

A

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
Q

Insomnia

A

Affecting the ability to fall asleep / stay asleep

55
Q

Narcolepsy

A

Lack of voluntary control over the onset of sleep; Consisting of sudden, brief periods of sleep

56
Q

Sleep Apnea

A

Inability to breathe during sleep causing one to awaken during the night in order to breathe

57
Q

Structuralism

A

Break consciousness down into its elements, or specific mental structures

58
Q

Reaction Time

A

Time elapsed between a stimulus presentation and the subject’s response to it

59
Q

Creativity

A

A cognitive ability that results in new ways of viewing problems or situations

60
Q

Divergent Thinking

A

Thinking that involves producing as many creative answers to a question as possible; Individual’s thoughts diverge along multiple paths of possibilities

61
Q

Availability Heuristics

A

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
Q

Representativeness Heuristic

A

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
Q

Base Rate Fallacy

A

Using prototypical or stereotypical factors rather than actual numerical info. about which is more numerous

64
Q

Triarchic Theory

A

Suggests that there are three aspects to intelligence:

  • Componential (performance on tests)
  • Experiential (creativity)
  • Contextual (street smarts / business sense)
65
Q

“Meta”

A

Ability to reflect upon something

66
Q

Metacognition

A

Person’s ability to think about and monitor cognition

67
Q

Metamemory

A

Person’s ability to think about and monitor memory

Psych for the MCAT :) (8 decks)

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