Interacting with the Environment Flashcards
selective attention
the process by which one input is attended to and the rest are tuned out
attended channel
the information one is instructed to listen to
unattended channel
the information one is supposed to ignore
Broadbent Filter Model of Selective Attention
inputs from the environment first enter a sensory buffer. One of these inputs is then selected and filtered based on physical characteristics of its input (ex. modality), this theoretical filter is designed to keep us from becoming overloaded and overwhelmed with information. other sensory info stays in the sensory buffer briefly but then quickly decays. the information is raw data filtered, which will enter short-term memory stores in the next step
cocktail party effect
when information of personal importance from previously unattended channels catches our attention
Anne Treisman’s Attenuation Model
rather than a filter, the mind has an attenuator, which “turns down the volume” of the unattended sensory input, rather than eliminating it
selective priming
suggests that people can be selectively primed to observe something, either by encountering it frequently or by having an expectation
spotlight model
describes the movement of attention: shifts in attention precede corresponding eye movements, shifting of attention requires us to unlock the beam from its current target, move the focus, and lock onto a new target
binding problem
the problem of how all these different aspects of visual processing are assembled together and related to a single object, rather than something else in the visual field
divided attention
concerns when and if we are able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously
resource model of attention
we have a limited pool of resources on which to draw when performing tasks, both modality-specific resources and general resources.
what are three factors associated with performance on multi-tasking?
task similarity, task difficulty, task practice
information-processing models
focuses on how information is processed. assumes that info is taken in from the environment and processed through steps including: attention, perception, storage into memory
Alan Baddeley’s model
sought to redefine short-term memory (working memory) in which it consists of four components: phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, episodic buffer, central executive
phnological loop
allows us to repeat verbal information to help us remember it
visuospatial sketchpad
helps to remember visuospatial information through the use of mental images
episodic buffer
integrates information from the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad with a sense of time, and to interface with loop term memory stores
central executive
oversees the entire process and orchestrates it by shifting and dividing attention
schemas
mental frameworks that shape and are shaped by our experiences
assimilate
experiences are conformed into our existing schemas
accomodate
adjust our schemas to take into account new experiences
what is Piaget’s theory of four developmental stages?
Sensorimotor stage, preoperational stage, concrete operational stage, functional operational stage
sensorimotor stage
birth-2: learn about object permanence, demonstrate stranger anxiety
object permanence
the understanding that things continue to exist when they are out of sight
preoperational stage
2-7: learn that things can be represented through symbols such as words and images, pretend plan, development of language, lack logical reasoning, egocentric
concrete operational stage
7-11: learn to think logically about concrete events, helps them learn the principle of conservation, math
conservation
the idea that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape
formal operational stage
12-adulthood: people learn about abstract reasoning and moral reasoning
recall
retrieving information from memory without any clues
recognition
retrieving information from memory with cues
what are types of problem solving approaches?
trial and error, heuristic, algorithm
heuristic
mental shortcut
insight
a sudden flash of inspiration
what are two cognitive tendencies that can be a barrier to effective problem solving?
confirmation bias and fixation and belief bias
confirmation bias
tendency to search only for information that confirms our preconceived thinking, rather than information that might not support it
fixation
an inability to see the problem from a fresh perspective
mental set
tendency to fixate on solutions that worked in the past though they might not apply to the current situation
functional fixedness
a tendency to perceive the functions of objects as fixed and changing
representative heuristic
based on generalizations
availability heruistic
based on how readily particular examples come to mind
belief bias
tendency to judge arguments based on what one believes about their conclusions, rather than on whether they use sound logic
belief perseverance
tendency to cling to beliefs despite the presence of contrary evidence
overconfidence
an overestimation of the accuracy of knowledge and judgments: caused by use of intuitive heuristics and a tendency to confirm preconceived beliefs
consciousness
the awareness that we have of ourselves, our internal states, and the environment
reticular formation (reticular activating system RAS)
in brainstem, controls alertness and arousal
polysomnography PSG
multimodal technique to measure physiological processes during sleep: EEG, EMG, EOG
electroencephalogram EEG
measures of electrical impulses in the brain
electromyogram EMG
measures of skeletal muscle movement
electrooculogram EOG
measures of eye movement
waves when person are awake
beta waves
waves in a relaxed state:
alpha waves: low amplitudes, high frequencies, ready to drift off to sleep
Stage 1 sleep
theta waves (low to moderate intensity, intermediate frequency), slow rolling eye movements, moderate activity: person becomes less responsive to stimuli and has fleeting thoughts
Stage 2 sleep
theta waves interspersed with K complex and sleep spindles, no eye movement, moderate activity: increased relaxation in the body that is characteristic of sleep
Stage 3 and Stage 4 sleep
delta waves (high amplitudes, low frequency waves), no eye movement, moderate muscle movement, heart rate and digestion slows, growth hormones secreted
REM sleep
quick eye movements, resembles beta waves but more jagged, low/no skeletal muscle movement, when dreams occur
circadian rhythms
biological waxing and waning of alertness over a 24hour day
sleep is regulated by exposure to light which stimulates a nerve pathway from retina to:
suprachiasmatic nucleus SCN in the hypothalamus (regulates body temperature, controls production/release of hormones)
sleep is also regulated by melatonin produced by:
pineal gland: dark = more melatonin
REM rebound
increase in REM sleep to make up for missing REM sleep
manifest content
plotlines of dreams, symbols versions of underlying latent content
latent content
unconscious drives and wishes that are difficult to express
activation-synthesis theory
dreams are byproducts of brain activation during REM sleep
dyssomnias
abnormalities in the amount, quality, or timing of sleep (insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea)
insomnia
most common, difficulty falling or staying asleep
narcolepsy
periodic overwhelming sleepiness during waking period, that usually last less than 5 minutes
sleep apnea
disorder that causes people to intermittently stop breathing during sleep, results in awakening after a minute or so without area
parasomnias
abnormal behaviours that occur during sleep (somnambulism, night terrors)
somnambulism
sleep walking, sleep talking, Stage 3
night terrors
Stage 3 not recalled the next morning
Dissociation theory
hypnotism is an extreme form of divided consciousness
Social Influence theory
people do and report what’s expected of them
meditation
refers to a variety of techniques which usually involve the training of attention
mindfulness-based stress reduction
protocol commonly used in the medical setting to help alleviate stress
depressants
alcohol, barbiturates, opiates: depress or slow down neural activity
opiates
derivates of opium that depress neural functional
stimulants
caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines: increase the release of neurotransmitters, reduce the reuptake of neurotransmitters. speeds up body functions
hallucinogens
psychedelics (LSD, marijuana) distort perceptions in the absence of any sensory input
psychological dependence
use of a drug in response to painful emotions related to depression, anxiety, or trauma
physical dependence
evidenced by withdrawal
enjoyable behaviours produce activity in dopamine circuits in the brain, most notably in:
nucleus accumbens “pleasure center”
aphasia
difficulty in producing/comprehending language
alexia
inability to perceive written words
conduction aphasia (acquired aphasia)
having the ability to comprehend/speak, but unable to repeat what was just heard. occurs if broca’s and wernicke’s area are disconnected
