L1: Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

Question 1

What is cognitive psychology?

Answer 1

It is the study of internal mental processes, such as perceiving, remembering, writing, reasoning and reading.

Question 2

What processes does it concern?

Answer 2

Acquiring, storing and transforming information.

Question 3

What is the scientific method for research?

Answer 3

Theory -> Hypothesis -> Design & Conduct Experiment -> Collect & Analyse Data -> Compare Data Against Hypothesis -> Draw Conclusion

Question 4

What are the dependent and independent variables of the Stroop Effect?

Answer 4

Independent variable (manipulated): Stimulus
congruency (3 levels)

Dependent variable (measured): Color naming
time

Question 5

Explain the Stroop Effect

Answer 5

1. There are 2 pathways (word reading & colour naming) that are simultaneously activated in an incongruent condition. This causes conflict, which slows us down.
2. Word reading pathway is automatic, but colour reading pathway is effortful. In incongruent conditions, you have to inhibit the automatic response, which slows you down.

Question 6

What does the information processing perspective assume?

Answer 6

Assumes that information in the environment is processed by different systems, and information is transformed before being passed to the next system. Processing is serial - one process is completed before the next begins.

Question 7

What is decay?

Answer 7

When unattended memory in sensory memory is lost.

Question 8

What is displacement?

Answer 8

When unrehearsed information in the short-term memory is lost.

Question 9

How does sensory memory convert to short-term memory?

Answer 9

Through attention, then maintenance rehearsal.

Question 10

How does short-term memory convert to long-term memory?

Answer 10

Through rehearsal.

Question 11

How do you recall things?

Answer 11

Information is brought from long-term memory to short-term memory for usage.

Question 12

How is introspection done?

Answer 12

Ask people to look inside their own minds and systematically examine and describe one’s own thoughts and mental states.

Question 13

3 Limitations of Introspection

Answer 13

1. Humans are largely unaware of underlying cognitive processes
2. Reports of conscious experience may be biased,
   intentionally or otherwise
3. Delay between the conscious experience and the report of that experience

Question 14

How does Behaviourism overcome Introspection?

Answer 14

Focuses on verifiable objective experiences rather than subjective mental experiences.

Question 15

2 Limitations of Behaviourism

Answer 15

1. The research by behaviourists became
   increasingly esoteric and inaccessible to
   psychologists in other areas
2. Research based almost entirely on non-human subjects, and it was unclear how well findings generalised to humans

Question 16

How is the brain similar to a computer?

Answer 16

Brain -> Computer Hardware
Mental Processes -> Software Programs

Question 17

What is Experimental Cognitive Psychology?

Answer 17

Exploring the processes and mechanisms underlying human cognition based on behavioural data

Question 18

Limitations of Experimental Cognitive Psychology

Answer 18

1. Largely based on laboratory research, so ecological validity may be challenged.
2. Dependent variables are often speed and accuracy of response, which only provide indirect clues to mental processing.

Question 19

What does Cognitive Neuroscience do?

Answer 19

Allows us to work out where and when cognitive processes occur in the brain.

Question 20

What are the 2 main methods of Cognitive Neuroscience?

Answer 20

1. Event-Related Potentials (ERP)
2. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI)

Question 21

How does Event-Related Potentials work?

Answer 21

Measures electrical activity on scalp surface. Assess the time-course of cognitive processes.

Question 22

How does fMRI work?

Answer 22

Measures the BOLD signal in the brain using a large magnet. BOLD signal is the flow of oxygen in the brain, which is correlated with mental activity.

Question 23

Limitations of Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 23

1. Often hard to interpret results from brain imaging studies.
2. Brain activity is related to task performance in very complex ways.
3. Data is correlational rather than causal.
4. Assumes functional specialisation of brain regions.

Question 24

What is Cognitive Neuropsychology?

Answer 24

Deals with cognitive performance of brain-damaged patients, which yields insights into normal brain function. Look for dissociations, where BD patients are normal on one task, but impaired in another.

Question 25

Object Knowledge

Answer 25

Knowledge about objects isn’t stored in a single system. Knowledge of different properties (auditory, visual, olfactory etc) may be stored in different systems.