Science of the Mind

Question 1

Cognitive psychology

Answer 1

scientific study of the acquisition, retention, and use of knowledge

Question 2

Limit of introspection

Answer 2

◦ Cannot study mental world directly
◦ Must study mental world to understand behaviour
◦ Only way to study thoughts is to introspect (look within) to observe and record thoughts and experiences, but introspectors needed to be meticulously trained
◦ Introspection doesn’t tell you anything about unconscious thoughts
◦ Introspection can’t be used to test hypotheses

Question 3

Behaviourist theory

Answer 3

◦ How behaviour changes in response to various stimuli
◦ The way people act, and the way they feel are guided by how they interpret the situation, not the situation itself
• i.e. “pass the salt” and “salt please” sound different, but have the same meaning, resulting in the same response (passing the salt)
• Therefore, you need to study mental processes to understand behaviour

Question 4

Kant’s Transcedental Method:

Answer 4

• Begin with observable facts and work backwards
  
  • How did these observations occur, what caused this effect?
  • Allows for the study of mental processes indirectly
  • Also called “inference to best explanation”

Question 5

Working Memory:

Answer 5

• Holds information in an easily accessible form, so it is instantly available when needed
  
  • Small capacity so it is easy to locate the information you need

Question 6

Span Test:

Answer 6

• Sequence of letters that a person has to repeat back. When they do it correctly, you add another letter until they can’t repeat it
  
  • Usually errors occur after seven or eight letters
  • Confirms working memory is limited in size

Question 7

Working-Memory System:

Answer 7

Consists of central executive, articulatory rehearsal loop

Question 8

Central executive

Answer 8

Analyzes and interprets information

Question 9

Articulatory rehearsal loop

Answer 9

◦ Stores information
◦ i.e. repeating a sequence of numbers in your head while you read
Consists of subvocalization and phonological buffer

Question 10

Subvocalization

Answer 10

• Silent speech

* Produces a representation of the numbers in the phonological buffer

Question 11

Phonological buffer

Answer 11

• Inner ear
  
  • Auditory image created here
  • Will fade, but once it fades subvocalization can be used again
  • This is what causes sound alike errors (i.e. saying F instead of S”

Question 12

Concurrent Articulation:

Answer 12

• Span test but get participants to say “Tah Tah Tah” over and over again while taking it
  
  • Prevents subvocalization, letter span drops from 7 to 4-5 letters
  • Prevents sound alike errors

Question 13

Cognitive Neuroscience:

Answer 13

Study of biological basis for cognitive functioning

Question 14

Anarthia:

Answer 14

• Inability to produce speech
  
  • People with anarthria also produce sound-alike errors, suggesting sub vocalization is controlled by areas of the brain planning and controlling muscle movements, but not the movements themselves