Conciousness And The Two Track Mind Flashcards
Selective attention
In psychology, selective attention refers to the process of focusing on a particular stimulus while ignoring other stimuli in the environment. This ability allows us to concentrate on relevant information while filtering out distractions. Selective attention plays a crucial role in our daily lives by helping us prioritize what is important and relevant to the task at hand, enhancing our cognitive performance and efficiency.
Dual processing
Dual processing in psychology refers to the concept that our brain uses two different systems to process information:
- System 1: This system is fast, automatic, and often subconscious. It involves quick, intuitive judgments and is influenced by emotions and past experiences. For example, recognizing a familiar face instantly.
- System 2: This system is slow, deliberate, and conscious. It involves logical reasoning and careful analysis. For example, solving a complex math problem or making a thoughtful decision.
These two systems work together to help us navigate the world efficiently, balancing quick reactions with more deliberate thought processes.
4 stages of sleep
NREM1->hallucinations muscle jerking/falling lightest stage /easily awoken lasts a few mins
NREM2 -> deeper than NREM1, sleep spindals (bursts of rapid brain activity)
NREM3->deep sleep/ harder to wake up slow brain waves
REM-(rapid eye movement) dreaming occurs, your brain activity is as if awake but body is paralyzed so u don’t act out dreams.
What happens during REM sleep
Loss of muscle tone, immune system strengthens, cognitive cells are restored, and crucial for mood through out the day
What are the functions of sleep
Circadian rhythm
Internal clock responsible for the sleep wake cycle. Repeating roughly every 24 hours.influenced by light and darkness, helping determine when we feel sleepy and when we feel awake
Consequences of sleep deprivation
Impaired cognitive function
Decreased memory and attention
Mood decrees
Increased risk of accident
Overall neg. Impact on mental health and well being
How does melatonin affect sleep
Hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycle. Produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness, signaling the body that it’s time to sleep
How do bright lights affect sleep
Disrupt the body from the natural production of melatonin, making it hard to fall asleep.
What occurs during rem sleep
Dreaming, cognitive cells are repaired,memory consolidation,
Mood regulation, vivid dreams
What are the functions of sleep
During sleep, various functions occur to support overall health and well-being:
- Restoration: Sleep allows the body to repair tissues, consolidate memories, and regulate hormones.
- Memory Consolidation: It helps in processing and storing information learned during the day.
- Physical Health: Sleep plays a role in immune function, metabolism, and overall physical health.
- Emotional Regulation: It contributes to mood regulation and emotional well-being.
- Brain Function: Sleep is essential for cognitive functions like concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Consequences of sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation can have various consequences on your health and well-being. It can lead to:
- Impaired cognitive function and memory.
- Decreased concentration and problem-solving abilities.
- Mood disturbances like irritability and increased stress.
- Weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses.
- Increased risk of accidents due to impaired alertness and reaction time.
How does bright lights affect sleep
Bright lights can disrupt sleep by affecting your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Exposure to bright light, especially blue light from screens, can trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Development psychology
Developmental psychology is the study of how people grow and change throughout their lives. It covers physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development from infancy through old age. This field examines how factors like genetics, environment, and experiences influence development and behavior over time.
Assimilation vs acomadation
Assimilation and accommodation are two key concepts in Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development:
- Assimilation: This is the process of taking in new information and incorporating it into existing cognitive schemas (mental models). For example, a child who knows what a dog is might see a cat and initially call it a dog, fitting the new animal into their existing schema of “four-legged animals.”
- Accommodation: This involves changing existing cognitive schemas or creating new ones in response to new information that doesn’t fit into existing schemas. Using the previous example, the child eventually learns that a cat is different from a dog and adjusts their schema to accommodate this new understanding.
These processes work together to help individuals adapt to new experiences and information.
Jean piagets theory
Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development outlines how children’s thinking evolves in stages as they grow. There are four main stages:
- Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 years): Infants learn about the world through their senses and actions. They develop object permanence, understanding that objects continue to exist even when they can’t be seen.
- Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 years): Children begin to use language and think symbolically, but their thinking is still intuitive and egocentric. They struggle with understanding different viewpoints and concepts like conservation (the idea that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape).
- Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 11 years): Children’s thinking becomes more logical and organized, but still concrete. They can perform operations on objects and understand concepts like conservation, reversibility, and cause and effect.
- Formal Operational Stage (12 years and up): Adolescents develop abstract thinking and can reason logically about hypothetical situations. They can think about abstract concepts like justice and love, and use deductive reasoning.
Piaget’s theory emphasizes that children are active learners who construct knowledge through interactions with their environment.
Piagets theory weakness and strengths
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development has both strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
1. Influential Framework: Piaget’s theory has had a profound impact on education and psychology, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding children’s cognitive development.
2. Stages of Development: The theory clearly outlines stages of development that are observable and relatable, helping educators and parents understand the typical progression of cognitive skills.
3. Active Learning: Emphasizes the importance of active learning and discovery, which has influenced educational practices to focus more on hands-on activities and exploration.
Weaknesses:
1. Underestimation of Abilities: Piaget may have underestimated children’s cognitive abilities, particularly in younger children. Some research suggests that children can perform certain tasks earlier than Piaget proposed.
2. Cultural Bias: The theory is based on observations of children from Western cultures and may not fully account for variations in cognitive development across different cultures.
3. Lack of Consideration for Social and Emotional Factors: Piaget’s theory primarily focuses on cognitive development and does not sufficiently address the influence of social and emotional factors on cognitive growth.
Overall, while Piaget’s theory provides valuable insights, it is important to consider its limitations and complement it with other perspectives.
Piagets theory weakness and strengths
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development has both strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
1. Influential Framework: Piaget’s theory has had a profound impact on education and psychology, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding children’s cognitive development.
2. Stages of Development: The theory clearly outlines stages of development that are observable and relatable, helping educators and parents understand the typical progression of cognitive skills.
3. Active Learning: Emphasizes the importance of active learning and discovery, which has influenced educational practices to focus more on hands-on activities and exploration.
Weaknesses:
1. Underestimation of Abilities: Piaget may have underestimated children’s cognitive abilities, particularly in younger children. Some research suggests that children can perform certain tasks earlier than Piaget proposed.
2. Cultural Bias: The theory is based on observations of children from Western cultures and may not fully account for variations in cognitive development across different cultures.
3. Lack of Consideration for Social and Emotional Factors: Piaget’s theory primarily focuses on cognitive development and does not sufficiently address the influence of social and emotional factors on cognitive growth.
Overall, while Piaget’s theory provides valuable insights, it is important to consider its limitations and complement it with other perspectives.
Parenting skills
Permissive, authoritative,authoritarian
Permissive parenting
Permissive parenting is a style characterized by low demands with high responsiveness. Parents who adopt this style tend to be very loving and nurturing, but they do not set many rules or guidelines. They often act more like a friend than a parental figure.
Authoritarian
Authoritarian parenting is a style characterized by high demands and low responsiveness. Parents who adopt this style have strict rules and expectations, and they expect obedience without question. They often use punishment rather than discipline and provide little warmth or nurturing.
What are the benefits of exercise in older adults?
Cardiovascular, mental health, maintain muscle strength.