PSY2002 SEMESTER 1 - WEEK 4 Flashcards
define model
simplified (idealised) representation of a thing
define statistical model
mathematical relationship between variables, that hold under specific assumptions (no real explanation of what is going on, why there is relationships)
define theoretical model
description of relationship between different mental processes, that make assumptions about nature of these processes (tried explaining relationships between variables)
define regression
same as correlation and is a single line through graph representing trends (as seen in statistical models)
outline what cognitive box-and-arrow models are (informal theoretical model)
describe relationship between different mental processes, under assumption that mind operates like multi-staged info processing machine
manipulate input and observe output to have look at mind, allow testing models
what are formal cognitive models (theoretical)
mathematical description of relationship between mental processes
box and arrows switched for formula to describe our cognitive process, explain them (often computer codes)
outline simplification and abstraction (common model characteristic)
only describe parts of info we think are critical for what we’re trying to represent
simplification: making something simpler
abstraction: generating general rules and concepts from specific info
what does the right level of abstraction depend on
question being asked, what we’re trying to convey
who was Popper, influence in theories
influential in differentiating between scientific and non-scientific theories
suggest non-scientific theory only explains “after fact” and can’t provide falsifiable prediction
name the 5 stages of models being used for prediction and explanation
framework, theory, model, hypothesis, data
define framework
conceptual system that defines terms and provides context (eg, cognitive psychology)
define theory
scientific proposition that provides relations between phenomena (eg, early selection theory)
define model
schematic representation of theory, more limited in it’s scope (eg, Broadbent’s filter model)
what should we do if framework keep producing bad theories that are always rejected
should change framework - falsification
give an example of explanation without exact prediction, and then prediction without explanation
Ew/oP: models of sz can indicate causes but can’t predict individual cases
Pw/oE: some models can predict whether an individual will develop AD even though not that close to understanding factor explaining AD
what are informal cognitive models
verbal description of relationship between different cognitive procedure, where some assumptions are often implicit and only provide directional prediction
what are formal/computational model
mathematical description of relationship between different cognitive procedure, often instantiated via computer program/simulation
with explicit assumptions, providing often specific numerical prediction
formal models allow more specific predictions. what does having numerical simulation of this model mean
see if model provide unreasonable prediction so is easier to reject bad models
help us select what experiments to perform (if predictions suggest exact same, no point in running experiments)
provide subtle hypothesis testing, to see how close model is to predicting an actual result
formal models allow counter-intuitive predictions. why is this an advantage
model can more clearly describe which predictions follow from model
informal models are hard to notice when making counter-intuitive prediction but formal are clear
a benefit of formal model is explicit assumption, why
allows reveal of unanswered questions, flaws of reasoning, contradictory/unreasonable assumptions and allows assumptions transparent allowing development and futhering of existing theories for improvement
what are disadvantages of formal model
- needs expertise
- best compared against other computational model
- numerical predictions can be premature
- changing model take time and limit progress
outline David Marr’s level of analysis
idea that we can understand and model a system at a number of levels (3 levels of understanding)
we can only sample tiny fraction of brain’s activity, so this provides solution
state Marr 3 levels
- computational level
- algorithm level
- implementation level
what is compuational (1) David Marr levels
problem being solved