Unit 1 Cognition 2016

Question 1

What is group testing?

Answer 1

Group testing can be administered to multiple persons at a time.

Question 2

Explain three advantages of group testing.

Answer 2

• Group testing uses simplified instructions and administered procedures.
• Examiners role simplified.
• Can we administered to large roles simultaneously.
• Scoring typically more objective
• Large representative sample often used, this leads to better established norms.
• A highly verbal group test can have a more valid co-efficient than an individual test.

Question 3

Identify three disadvantages of group testing

Answer 3

• Examinees response is more restricted.
• it is not readily detected if the examinee is tired, anxious, unwell.
• information obtained by the group test is generally less accurate than individual tests.
• individual tests offer more flexibility

Question 4

Explain what individual testing is

Answer 4

• Can be administered to only one person at a time with a trained examiner.

Question 5

What three advantages of individual testing?

Answer 5

• examiner can pay more attention to the examinee
• examiner can easily encourage the examinee and observe their behaviour during the test more clearly
• scores on individual test are not as dependent on reading ability as scores in group tests

Question 6

Identify three disadvantages of individual testing

Answer 6

• it is time consuming
• requires a highly trained examiner
• costs more than group testing

Question 7

Define sensation

Answer 7

A physiological process involving sensory receptors detecting and responding to the presence of stimuli (anything which is experienced through the senses).

Question 8

Define perception

Answer 8

• The mental process of organising and interpreting sensory stimuli sent from the senses so it achieves meaningful form.

Question 9

What are the five main senses?

Answer 9

Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch

Question 10

Describe what visual perception principles are

Answer 10

• rules that we automatically apply to visual stimuli to assist in the organisation and interpretation of stimuli in a consistent and meaningful way.
• enables the brain to group together information into a recognisable whole, to identify an objects actual size, shape and orientation and to determine the depth and distance of an object

Question 11

Explain what Gestalt means and what it is used for.

Answer 11

• Gestalt means ‘good form’

- used to organise elements of the visual field providing perception of the whole, complete form

Question 12

List the Gestalt principles

Answer 12

• closure
• figure ground
• similarity
• proximity

Question 13

Describe two pictorial depth cues

Answer 13

Linear perspectives - converging of lines to indicate distance

Interposition - position of objects (in front, behind, overlapping)

Texture gradient - foreground more clear than background

Relative size - comparing size of things to understand how big they might be

Height in the visual field - closer to the horizon line means it is further away

Question 14

Identify three constancies

Answer 14

Size constancy - understanding an object doesn’t change size depending on its location in the image

Shape constancy - knowing something doesn’t change its shape depending on its orientation

Brightness constancy - object doesn’t change just because the brightness does

Orientation constancy - object doesn’t change just because its orientation does

Question 15

Define what a visual illusion is

Answer 15

A consistent misinterpretation (distortions or mistakes) of real visual stimuli, involving a mismatch between our perception and our understanding of physical reality. Length, position, direction or motion is misjudged consistently over time and by everyone

Question 16

Explain what perceptual set is

Answer 16

The readiness to perceive stimuli in accordance with certain expectations that often cause us to select, organise and interpret certain stimuli and ignore others.
Often called expectancy because we expect to perceive stimuli in accordance with our expectations

Question 17

List all factors that effect perception

Answer 17

Past experiences, motivation and context in a given situation

Question 18

What factors effect perceptual set

Answer 18

• context
• motivation and emotional state
• effect of suggestion
• past experiences
• cultural factors

Question 19

Discuss what ‘past experiences’ means

Answer 19

Refers to personal experiences that have happened throughout ones life. These are unique and result in many interpretations of visual stimuli. Such experiences create a perceptual set and predispose individuals to seeing stimuli in certain ways.

Question 20

Explain the influence of context on perceptual set

Answer 20

The environment or setting in which a perceived event occurs or an object exists.
Context provides a framework within which objects and events are considered .
Context allows the observer to make quick and accurate interpretations of visual stimuli.
Context may also lead to incorrect interpretations.

Question 21

Define normal waking consciousness (NWC)

Answer 21

The state of consciousness associated with being awake and aware of our thoughts, feelings, memories and sensations we are experiencing from the outside world.

Question 22

Outline the characteristics of normal waking consciousness

Answer 22

• controlled and automatic processes
• content limitation
• attention (divided and selected)

Question 23

Define attention

Answer 23

A concentration of mental activity that involves focusing on specific stimuli and ignoring other stimuli

Question 24

Explain selective attention

Answer 24

Attending go certain stimuli while ignoring others. This could be because of a change in stimuli, novel stimuli or the stimuli is personally important to us.

Question 25

What is divided attention?

Answer 25

The ability to distribute one’s attention and undertake more than one activity at the same time

Question 26

Define habituation

Answer 26

The tendency to get use to and therefore ignore a stimulus that is experienced repeatedly

Question 27

What is dishabituation?

Answer 27

Can occur when a change in the same stimulation is so intense it causes you to pay attention

Question 28

In what four ways can you measure states of consciousness?

Answer 28

• electroencephalography (EEG)
• heart rate
• body temperature
• galvanic skin response

Question 29

Explain what electroencephalography are

Answer 29

EEG’s record the amplitude and frequency of brain waves.
Amplitude - size of peaks and troughs
Frequency - number of brain waves per second

Question 30

Name the four types of brain waves

Answer 30

Beta, alpha, theta, delta

Question 31

Explain beta brain waves

Answer 31

Occur when you are alert and working. High frequency, low amplitude

Question 32

Discuss alpha brain waves

Answer 32

Occur when you are relaxed and reflecting. High frequency and high amplitude

Question 33

When do theta brain waves occur?

Answer 33

Happens when you are drowsy and idealing

Question 34

Discuss when delta brain waves occur

Answer 34

They occur when you are sleeping and dreaming.

Question 35

How can our heart rate measure NWC

Answer 35

The greater the heart rate, the greater state of arousal (exercise, fear and stimulants can increase heart rate)

Question 36

Discuss how body temperature shows NWC

Answer 36

Temperature regulation can be affected in various states of consciousness. This is more stable than heart rate

Question 37

What is galvanic skin response (GSP)?

Answer 37

Galvanic skin response responds to changes in electrical conductivity of the skin