Rise Of Cognitive Psychology

Question 1

Boolean Logic.

Answer 1

Information presented as logical operations; 0 (false), 1 (true), or (one or other or both), xor (one or other not both).

Question 2

Turing Machine.

Answer 2

Hypothetical machine that accurately describes how computers work on the basis of Boolean logic.

Question 3

McCulloch and Pitts (1943).

Answer 3

Operations of neurone and connections modelled in terms of Boolean logic. Bird brain connected to eye with two sensors (shape and colour). If first correct –> second (MCP neurone has threshold that compares total signal received).

Question 4

Lashley and S-R Relationships.

Answer 4

S-R associations not enough (each element depends on association with previous element). Speech (rapid, unlikely S-R, anticipatory speech error show evidence of planning).

Question 5

Homunculus and Computers.

Answer 5

Difficulty of explaining goal-orientated behaviour (e.g. Tolman; who is reading the cognitive maps). Computers show goal-directed functioning without homunculus > current state and end state compared are discrepancy used to bring performance closer to desire end state (but who sets state?).

Question 6

Simulation of Human Thinking.

Answer 6

Turing Test: hypothesised psychological processes simulated in computer programs (artificial intelligence test).

Question 7

Software Engineers and Psychologists.

Answer 7

Role: programmers working on software of humans independent of anatomy and physiology. Information transformation thought in terms of algorithms running on input.

Question 8

Contributing Factors to Rise of Cognitive Psychology.

Answer 8

Mathematical and technological advances (WWII; information handling, communication, codes, flexible programming).

Question 9

Miller (1956).

Answer 9

Outlined the limits of STM. Experimental evidence (7 +/- 2). First empirical evidence that human mind considered computer.

Question 10

Neisser (1967).

Answer 10

Published book summarising evidence in favour for information processing in the mind.

Question 11

Miller (1956).

Answer 11

Outlined the limits of STM. Experimental evidence (7 +/- 2). First empirical evidence that human mind considered computer.

Question 12

Neisser (1967).

Answer 12

Published book summarising evidence in favour for information processing in the mind.

Question 13

Features of Cognitive Psychology - Mental Representations.

Answer 13

Information pattern representing knowledge obtained through observation or application of algorithm (separate from brain, could in theory be copied).

Question 14

Information Processing.

Answer 14

Dynamic aspect of encoding mental representations, transforming by means of algorithms and integrating with existing knowledge.

Question 15

Boxes-and-Arrows Diagrams.

Answer 15

Boxes temporary stores of information, arrows are cognitive processes transforming information (functionality not structure). Broadbent Selective Attention.

Question 16

Computational Models.

Answer 16

Computer program responding as human (performed various assumed transformations). More demanding than b-a diagrams by not insightful.

Question 17

Features of Cognitive Psychology - Complex Processes.

Answer 17

Initial underestimation of information processing complexity. Clear in language: meaning dependent on context, difficult to compute synaptic if structure/ambiguities. Introduction of top-down processes; higher processing information fed back to influence processing.

Question 18

Features of Cognitive Psychology - Experimental Methods.

Answer 18

Cognitive psychology relive on scientific method (behaviourists). Conclude nothing wrong with postulating non-observable information algorithms if impact verified (logical positivists).

Question 19

Sperling (1960).

Answer 19

Used experimental methods to study STM which contradicted Wundt’s claims. Matrix of letters, report one row > support from Broadbent’s theory.