Conceptual Knowledge Flashcards
conceptual knowledge
knowledge that enables us to recognize objects and events and to make inferences about their properties
concept
mental representation used for a variety of cognitive functions
categorization
the process by which things are placed into groups called categories
exemplar approach
concept is represented by multiple examples rather than a single prototype
typicality effect
things that are similar to the prototype(s) are recognized as being in that category faster
prototypes may work best for ______
larger categories (general)
examplars may work best for _____
small categories (exceptions)
verification
indicating the truth of a test item
production
retrieving an instance from memory when given a cue (generating some part of an answer)
Allan Collins and Ross Quillian developed the
hierarchical network model
hierarchical network model
semantic memory consists of a network of basic elements connected by pointers which express relations between elements (basically like lists in programming)
feature comparison model
all concepts in semantic memory are represented as lists of features
2 types of features in feature comparison model:
- defining features (essential to define concept)
2. characteristic features (common to many members of category, but not essential)
spreading activation network model
- concepts organized in network, but organization not hierarchical
- features also stored with concepts
- assume activation spreads between concepts
lexical decision task
asking if something is a word or not
connectionist approach
- creating computer models for representing cognitive processes
- knowledge represented in the distributed activity of many units
how learning occurs with the connectionist approach
- network responds to stimulus
- provided with correct response
- error signal
- modigies responding to better match correct response
error signal
difference between actual activity of each output unit and the correct activity
embodied cognition
knowledge of concepts is based on reactivation of sensory and motor processes that occur when we interact with the object
mirror neurons
neurons that fire when we do a task or when we observe another doing that same task
definitional approach to categorization
we can decide whether something is a member of a category by determining whether a particular object meets the definition of the category
family resemblance
things in a particular category resemble one another in a number of ways
graceful degredation
disruption of performance occurs only gradually as parts of the system are damaged
hub and spoke model
areas of the brain that are associated with specific functions are connected to the anterior temporal lobe, which serves as a hub wthat integrates the information from these areas
