Psych 4 Flashcards
The organization and identification of sensory inputs
Perception
Computer-like models of cognitive functioning
Focus on input-output functions and distinguish between serial and parallel processing of information
Information-processing models
Processing that considers each input one at a time
Serial Processing
Processing that devotes cognitive resources to multiple inputs at once
Parallel Processing
The most evolved part of the brain where information processing takes place
Cerebral Cortex
The part of the brain associated with motor control, decision making, and long-term memory storage
Frontal Lobe
The part of the brain that processes tactile information; contains the somatosensory cortex
Parietal Lobe
Part of the brain that processes visual information
Occipital Lobe
Part of the brain that processes auditory and olfactory information
Also associated with emotion and language
Temporal Lobe
One of the first developmental psychologists to reconcile nature and nurture into an integrated theory of child development
Jean Piaget
Jean Piaget’s most notable contribution to developmental psychology
Theory of four universal stages of cognitive development
Stage 1 of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development (Birth to 2 years)
Children learn to separate themselves from objects. They recognize their ability to act on and affect the outside world, and learn that things continue to exist even when they are out of sight- this understanding is called object permanence
Sensorimotor
Stage 2 of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development (2 to 7 years)
Children learn to use language while they continue to think very literally. They maintain an egocentric world view and have difficulty taking the perspective of others
Preoperational
Stage 3 of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development ( 7 to 11 years)
Children become more logical in concrete thinking. They develop inductive reasoning, meaning that they can reason from specific situations to general concepts (the reverse, deductive reasoning, is not yet developed). They come to understand the idea of conversation- the concept that a quantity remains the same despite changes in its shape or container
Concrete Operational
Stage 1 of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development (11 years and up)
Children develop the ability to think logically in the abstract. Develop deductive reasoning skills (apply general concepts to specific situations). They learn to think theoretically and philosophically
Formal Operational
Children in western cultures and generally object-focused, while those raised in Eastern cultures are more relationally focused
Role of culture in cognitive development
Argues that language is a form of behaviour and thus is learned through operant conditioning.
Assumes that language develops through continuing interaction with environmental reinforcement, rather than focusing on innate ability
Learning Theory of language development
Behaviourist Theory; B.F. Skinner
Emphasizes innate biological mechanisms and was developed in the context of criticism of the behaviourist explanation.
Proposes that language development is innately human, and that all people have a neural cognitive system, the language acquisition device, which allows for learning of syntax and grammar
Nativist Theory of language development
Noam Chomsky
Emphasizes the interplay between environmental cues and innate biology in the development of language. The focus is on the social role that language plays.
The human brain develops so that it can be receptive to new language input and development, and children are motivated to practice and expand their language base in order to communicate and socialize
Interactionist Theory of language development
Located in the frontal lobe, and is primarily involved in speech production. Damage to this area causes difficulty enunciating and speaking fluently, but their ability to understand language of others is unaffected
Broca’s Area
Found in the temporal lobe, and contributes primarily to the understanding of language. Damage to this area causes inability to understand the meaning of words
Wernicke’s Area
The ability to understand and reason with complex ideas, adapt effectively to the environment, and learn from experience
Intelligence
Verbal scale and performance scale used to predict school performance and therefore correlates with school related skills, like math and verbal skills
IQ (intelligence quotient)
Everyone has a variety of intelligences that are used in combination to solve problems and perform tasks
Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences
Learning disabilities that can be traced to a genetic disorder
I.e. Phenylketonuria: inability to metabolize phenylalanine, causing damaging build up in the body and brain
Hereditary Influences
The prenatal (in utero) environment can have a lasting impact on cognitive and intellectual abilities. Acute and chronic conditions affecting a pregnant woman can lead to a general learning disability in the child. (Examples include rubella, herpes, syphilis, diabetes, high blood pressure)
Environmental Influences
Step by step procedure that leads to a definite solution
Algorithm
Allows a new problem to be reduced to a previously known problem, where prior knowledge of how to determine the solution can be applied
Analogies
Characterized by repeated, unsystematic attempts to solve a problem until the desired outcome is achieved
Trial and error