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BCSC 111 > Foundations Of Cognitive Science > Flashcards

Foundations Of Cognitive Science Flashcards

1
Q

What does the thalamus specialize in?

A

Relays information from the senses to the cerebral cortex

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2
Q

Describe Machine Learning

A

The application of connectivism, relies on statistics and data
1. Computers can be trained to calssify data distribution
2. Algorithms can learn from patterns of behavior
3. Used in neuroimaging data analysis

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3
Q

Explain the artificial grammar learning experiment by Reber

A
  1. One group was exposed to grammatical sequences while the other was exposed to ungrammatical ones
  2. Each sequence had to be written down after learning it
  3. The grammatic sequence group had higher accuracy, they could predict what would come newt in the sequence
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4
Q

Name the approaches to the study of cognition

A
  1. Straucturalism
  2. Empirism
  3. Functionalism
  4. Ecological Approach
  5. Evolutionary Approach
  6. Behaviorism
  7. Nativism
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5
Q

What can research on primates tell us?

A
  1. Information on human cognitive evolution
  2. Similarities in how we socialize, communicate and behave
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6
Q

Explain the fMRI study on artificial grammar learning by Peterson

A
  1. Training phase: participants are exposed to many grammatical sequences multiple times for 5 days
  2. After learning each sequence they had to write it down
  3. Testing phase: Calssify grammatical from non grammatical sequences
  4. When shown non grammatical ones a larger activation of Broca’s was noticed
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7
Q

Define the Evolutionary approach

A
  • Compares human vs animal cognition
  • Believes the key to understanding cognitive processes is though evolution and natural selection
  • Analyses:
    1. Fossil records
    2. Anatomical changes
    2. Cultural and societal traits
    4. Emergence of Languages
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8
Q

What is gray matter?

A

What composes the cerebral cortex (outer layer). Can be divided in cortical regions according to their functions:
1. Frontal Lobe
2. Parietal Lobe
3. Temporal Lobe
4. Occipital Lobe

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9
Q

What is the forebrain?

A

cerebral cortex+ lymbic system+ white matter = in charge of higher cognitive functions

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10
Q

What si the history of the localization of brain functions?

A

Faculty psychology: Brain is divided into faculties that are in charge of a specific function and are independent of each other

Phrenology: sub set of faculty psychology. Brain is divided into regions depending on their function. Size of it is determined by how developed it is.

Metanalysis; Analyzes multiple studies, provides evidence that regions from the brain have effects of multiple functions and work together

Korbinian Broadmann:
- Used cellular functions and anatomical regions to decide the cortical surface in 52 regions pero hemisphere

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11
Q

What is the function of Broca’s area according to the evolutionary approach?

A

Broca’s area is known for speech function and language processing, however, studies reveal that Broca’s specializes in processing generic sequences and patterns, both linguistic and non linguistic. This supports the idea of the verbal fluency task, meaning that language processing and memory retrieval are cognitively equivalent to foraging for food.

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12
Q

What is does the case of Michelle Mack tell us about the brain?

A

Michelle Mack was born with only a right hemisphere but still acquired normal abilities to process language and generate words. Neuroplasticity allowed her right hemisphere to take the function of the abscent left hemisphere

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13
Q

Would a patient with a severed corpus callosum be able to name and recognize a stimuli prevented to their left field of vision?

A

Recognize yes, name no. Since Broca’s and Werneke’s areas are found only on the left hemisphere, information processed by the right hemisphere cannot be named or verbalized, but it can be drawn with the left hand

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14
Q

What is a the corpus callosum?

A

The structure composed of white matter that connects the two hemispheres

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15
Q

What is collateral processing?

A

Stimuli perceived on the right side of the body is processed by the left hemisphere. Stimuli perceived on the left side of the body is processed by the right hemisphere

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16
Q

What is the lateralizarion of brain functions?

A

Certain brain functions are dominant in one of the hemispheres

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17
Q

What does the amygdala do?

A

Processes and regulates emotions, especially anger and aggression.

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18
Q

What does the Hippocampus specialize in?

A

Converts short term memories into long term memories

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19
Q

What does the hypothalamus specialize in?

A

Regulates biological functions (thirst, desire, hunger, temperature ) by releasing hormones that control the pituitary gland.

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20
Q

What is the limbic system?

A

Called the primitive mammalian brain, a ring of loosely connected structures that reside under the cerebral cortex:
1. Thalamus
2. Hypothalamus
3. Hippocampus
4. Amygdala

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21
Q

What does the Occipital lobe specialize in?

A
  • Visual processing and perception
22
Q

What does the temporal lobe specialize in?

A

-Auditory perception
- Language comprehension
- Object and face recognition

23
Q

What does the parietal lobe specialize in?

A
  • Postcentral gurus and posterior parietal cortex are responsible for Sensory perception
  • Spacial orientation
24
Q

what does the frontal lobe specialize in?

A
  • Language processing
  • Motor control
  • Cognitive control
  • Processing of self
  • Higher level cognitive functions
25
Q

what does the frontal lobe specialize in?

A
  • Language processing
  • Motor control
  • Cognitive control
  • Processing of self
  • Higher level cognitive functions
26
Q

What is white matter?

A

Fatty tissue sorrounding nerve fibers located under the gray matter. It acts as a connector between brain regions.

27
Q

Describe Priming

A

When the processing of a current event or input is unconsciously influenced by a prior event or imput. Measures the speed of processing and how the brain retrieves previous information.
ex: Flower and Bread

28
Q

Define the Evolutionary approach

A
  • Compares human vs animal cognition
  • Believes the key to understanding cognitive processes is though evolution and natural selection
  • Analyses:
    1. Fossil records
    2. Anatomical changes
    2. Cultural and societal traits
    4. Emergence of Languages
29
Q

Describe the structures of clinical interviews

A
  • Unstractured: Open ended questions
  • Semi structured: Pre set questions followed by specific questions
  • Structured: Standardized questions
30
Q

Describe the observation method

A
  • Derived from ecological approach, the observation and interpretation of behavior
  • Devuded into naturalistic vs non naturalistic observation
    1. Non naturalistic includes: controlled observation, parent child interaction and clinical interviews
    2 Naturalistic: observation in natural environments
31
Q

Define conenctionism

A

Composed of nodes (that simulate neurons) that are interconnected to simulate the brains structure and function
- Spread activation: The acrivation of one node causes the activation of others
- Visual representation of how long term memory is organized

32
Q

Describe the Box and Arrow model

A

Simulates cognitive processes using a computer metaphor. Measures input processing and Output generation
1. Bottom up: Simple stimuli (Visual Imput, Intermediate level and long term memory)
2. Top Down: For more complex stimuli, used when bottom up doesn’t work. (Ling term memory, intermediate level, visual stimuli)
3. Interactuve processing: using both

33
Q

Decribe the Modeling method

A

Method within observational method, three specific models
1. Box and arrow
2. Connectionism/Artificial Neural Network
3. Machine Laerning

34
Q

Describe the Eye Tracking method

A

Method within the observational method, tracks the movements of the the eyes by focusing on where they go and how long they stay in a particular stimulus
- Ex: Monolinguals vs Bilinguals relating sounds to images

35
Q

Within the experimental method, define the behavioral method.

A

Interprets cognitive processes through behavior

Two strategies:
1. Priming
2. Eye Tracking

36
Q

How can you measure individual differences using neuroimaging tech?

A
  1. Amplitude and latency if EEG waveforms
  2. Deteemining brain size
  3. fMRI studies of memory
  4. MRI or DTI connections between brain regions
37
Q

Describe EEG

A
  • Records electrical activity of neurons through the ERP ( event related potencial) which is an averaged waveform
  • Covert measure of processing, doesn’t rely on behavior
  • Limitations:
    1. Bad special resolution, can’t make out the specific brain regions
    2. Can’t detect mental processes that don’t have a ERP
38
Q

Describe fMRI

A
  • Indirect measure of the brains responses to stimuli
  • Tracks blood flow in the brain or the BOLD signal
39
Q

Describe MRI

A
  • Localizes brain functions to specific regions and the connections writhing regions measuring tissue water content
  • Is used to test both psychological models and individual differences
  • 0.5-1.5 Tesla for clinical and 1.5-7.0 Tesla for research
  • Limitations:
    1. Cost (3 million USD)
    2. Ferrimagnetic devices can cause serious injury
    3. Poor temporal resultion, needs 6-9 seconds to reach peak after stimulus
40
Q

Within The experimental method, define the Neuroimaging method.

A
  • Looks for specific locations of the brain related to cognition (where) and the timing of those brain responses (when)
  • Main Tech: MRI, fMRI and EEG
  • Other Tech: PET scans, MEG, DTI and Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy
41
Q

Define the experimental method

A
  • Follows the scientific method
  • Can be within subject (compare behaviors in a single subject), between subject (compare behaviors between multiple subjects) or mixed.
  • Two methods:
    1. Neutoimaging
    2. Behavioral
42
Q

Explain the magic 7 (+/- 2)

A

Our brain has limited capacity: we can only processes and retain 7 thoughts or concepts in short term memory

43
Q

Explain Nativism

A

-Chomsky: Our brain is designed to learn languages, it’s an innate capability that doesn’t require shaping through operant conditioning
- Learning grammar rules doesn’t guarantee the learning of said language
- Animals are exposed and can mimick language but can’t understand it

44
Q

Define Behaviorism approach

A
  • Opposes introspection (structuralism) because of lack of objectivity. Relies on what’s observable (behavior)
  • John Watson: Mental phenomena can be reduced to behavioral and physiological responses
  • Bases itself on Conditioning: Behavior is shaped by the environment and the timing of reinforcers
    1. Operant conditioning: Voluntary conscious response to a stimulus (taught through R+, R-, P+, P-)
    2. Classucak conditioning: Involuntary often unconcious biological response to a stimulus
45
Q

Define the ecological approach

A

-Derives from functionalism, studies what we do in specific contexts
- Observes behavior in real life setting or in simulations of real life settings and links it to cognitive processes
- Ex: Verbal fluency task = we tend to retrieve memories in clusters ranging from one category to another, much like we would have when gathering food
- Behavior can co evolve with cognitive functions

46
Q

Define functionalism approach

A
  • Mental states are defined by what they do rather than what they’re composed of
  • Studies mental phenomena in real life settings
47
Q

Define empiricism approach

A
  • States that knowledge is built upon tangible experiences
  • John Lock: our experiences shape our cognition
48
Q

Define Structuralism approach

A
  • Asumes all people share fundamental structural characteristics which form cognitive processes. Seeks to study the contents or elements of the mind
  • It’s main method is introspection
  • Three elementary states of consciousness…
    1. Sensations (senses)
    2. Images (thoughts)
    3. Affections (feelings)

can be evaluated under these properties…
1. Quality (characteristics that distinguish it)
2. Intensity (How loud or bright)
3. Duration
4. Clearness (How clear based on the level of attention)

49
Q

what is cognition?

A

Mental processes that take place in the brain to adquiere knowledge and understanding through thought, experiences, senses, memories, etc.

Basic Cognituve functions:
- Perception
- Attention
- Memory
- Executive functions

High level processes:
- Problem solving
Reasoning
Decision making

50
Q

Name the research methods of BCSC

A
  • Experimental Method
  • Observation Method
    -Modeling Method
51
Q

How do you define cognitive science?

A

Interdisciplinary study of the mind and cognition

pillars include : linguistics, computer science, sociology, philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, etc.

BCSC 111 (2 decks)

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