Introduction to Human Cognition

Question 1

What is the definition of sensation?

Is this biological or cognitive?

Answer 1

The functioning of the sensory system by processing stimulation received by our sensory receptors.

It is biological

Question 2

What is the definition of perception?

Is this biological or cognitive?

Answer 2

The interpretation of sensory input, organising the input and then assigning meaning.

It is a cognitive process

Question 3

What is selective attention and how does it influence perception?

Answer 3

Selecting salient (most important) information to attend to

Question 4

What is top down processing?

Answer 4

When we process a stimulus based on pre-existing knowledge

Question 5

What is the sensory store/buffer?

Answer 5

It determines which sensory inputs are important for further processing

Question 6

What are the X3 stages of skill acquisition?

Answer 6

1) cognitive
= mental representation of the skill

2) associative
= development of the motor programme

3) autonomous
= skill becomes implicit

Question 7

What is an issue regarding attention and autonomous skills?

Give an example of this in practice?

Answer 7

When autonomous skills become implicit they require less attention therefore complacency may arise, which can be dangerous

E.g. patients who think they manage their diabetes or inhaler technique well

Question 8

What happens to our attention when we are stressed?

Answer 8

It becomes hyper-vigilant

Question 9

In short term memory, how many pieces of information are we limited to in our processing capabilities?

What techniques can help overcome this?

Answer 9

7 +/- 2

Chunking may help

Question 10

In long term memory, what is assimilation?

Answer 10

Understanding based on current schemas

Question 11

In long term memory, what is accommodation?

Answer 11

Adding to an existing schema with new pieces of information discovered

Question 12

What are the X2 different types of long term memory knowledge?

Answer 12

1) declarative knowledge
= knowing what

2) procedural knowledge
= knowing how

Question 13

What are some different types of health related behaviour?

What does each mean?

Answer 13

1) risky
= behaviour which increases the change of morbidity or mortality

2) promoting/protective
= enhances heath to prevent disease

3) illness related
= attending appointments, adherence to medication