cognitive psychology

Cognition

Thinking and reasoning

Intelligence

The ability to obtain and use knowledge in a productive way

Intelligence according to wechsler

The global capacity to act purposefully, think rationally and deal effectively with ones environment

General intelligence

Galton - The idea that intelligence is a general ability that shows its self in different ways depending on the environment and can be measured using simple tests such as visual, hearing, reaction times.

5 components of general intelligence are working memory, knowledge, visual spatial reasoning, fluid reasoning, quantitative reasoning.

Two factor theory

Spearman. the idea that all intelligence tests positively correlate and therefore general intelligence is is also supported by specific ability or intelligence related to a particular test.

Intelligence is composed of two factors - general intelligence and specific intelligence.

G factor

A general mental ability that underlies the development of all other mental abilities and is common to all tasks that could be said to be measuring intelligence

S factor

Abilities specific to a test or task. The idea that specific intelligence or ability plays a role in the success of a particular task

Multiple intelligence theory

Gardner proposed that there are 9 intelligences that all individuals have that work separately from each other and exist in different parts of the brain. Individuals that a unique combination of strengths for the different intelligences.

9 Multiple intelligences

Linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily kinaesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, existential

Linguistic

The use of language and words, written and spoken. Reading, writing, debating.

Musical

Musical competence. Ability to understand pitch, tone, rhythm etc. Playing an instrument, singing.

Logical mathematical

Ability to analyse and solve problems and to think scientifically. Experiments, working with numbers

Spatial

Ability to manipulate objects in space and interpret images. Drawing, mazes and puzzles, imagining.

Bodily kinaesthetic

Using ones body in highly specialised skills. Dancing, crafts.

Interpersonal

Ability to read others feelings and understand their desires, intentions and thoughts. Leading, conflict resolution, communicating.

Intrapersonal

Ability to understand ones own feelings and adapt behaviour accordingly. Goal setting, pursues interests.

Naturalistic

Ability to recognise and categorise natural objects. Gardening, exploring,

Existential

Ability to reflect on fundamental questions about the human existence such as creation, death and the meaning of life.

Strengths of multiple intelligence theory

Acknowledges that intelligence is more than an IQ score

supported by developmental education evidence of how children learn differently and have different strengths

Limitations of multiple intelligence theory

Little empirical evidence to support it, more based on intuition

Critics argue that the different intelligences correlate with each other and can therefore be seen as a single factor

Emotional intelligence theory

The ability to recognise, understand and manage ones own emotions and to recognise, understand and influences the emotions of others

SMEAR

Social skills, Internal Motivation, empathy, self awareness, self regulation

Social skills

Proficiency in managing relationships and building networks, to find common ground and build rapport.

Indicators - persuasiveness, effectiveness in leading change

Internal motivation

A passion to work for internal reasons that go beyond money and status

Indicators - a strong drive to achieve, optimism even in the face of failure, organisational commitment

Empathy

The ability to understand the emotional makeup of other people. A skill in treating people according to their emotional reactions.

Indicators - expertise in building and maintaining relationships, cross cultural sensitivity and service

Self awareness

The ability to recognise and understand personal moods, emotions and drives as well as their effect on others. Self awareness depends on ones own ability to monitor their emotional state and correctly identify ones emotions.

Indicators - self confidence, realistic self assessment

Self regulation

The ability to control or redirect disruptive impulses and moods, suspend judgement and to think before acting.

Indicators - trustworthiness, openness to change, comfort with ambiguity

Strengths of EQ theory

Is used to predict mental health, job performance and leadership skills

Limitations of EQ theory

Is considered to be pop psychology by some who argue that general intelligence is the strongest predictor of success in life.

There is disagreement on whether EQ is an ability or simply a mix of positive traits

Binet Simon Scale.

Performance on tasks were used to determine an individuals mental age. The chronological age that best corresponds with an individuals level of intelligence. Chronological age is an individuals actual age in years.

Binet and Simon were tasked with finding a way to identify children who were experiencing learning difficulties and could benefit from special education programs

Terman

Adapted the Binet Simon scale to the Stanford Binet Scale for use in the USA. Terman believed that intelligence was inherited and a strong predictor of life success. Mental age over chronological age x 100

Stanford Binet Scale

Measured five factors of intelligence. Visual Spatial processing, Knowledge, Fluid Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Working Memory

IQ

Intelligence Quotient is a numerical score on an intelligence test. IQ shows how an individuals intelligence as measured by an intelligence test compares with that of other people of the same age. Used to be calculated by mental age divided by chronological age multiplied by 100 but that was a flawed calculation that does not work on adults and it no longer used.

How is IQ measured now

New versions use test takers scores relative to the average score of other people of the same age in the sample obtained by the test taker.

Wechsler intelligence testing

Wechsler used an empirical approach and developed tests that produced a global IQ score and domain scores. Wechsler also standardized the measurement of IQ - scores were obtained by comparing an individuals scores with those of the large representative sample for each age group providing a standard norm.

Current Wechsler tests

WAIS-IV - adult intelligence testing 16+
WISC-V - child intelligence testing 5-15
WPPSI-IV - preschool intelligence testing 2-7

Subtests

10 core subtests. 5 supplemental tests. produce four main scores of processing speed, working memory, verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning. Scores provided for each component are used for diagnostic purposes for identifying learning difficulties, devising recovery programs and problems related to brain damage.

Individual Intelligence testing

Used for clinical purposes and support plan development. There is one on one interaction between the examiner and participant. The examiner is high trained. There are strict guidelines to follow as tests are standardized

Advantages and limitations of individual intelligence testing

Advantages - Examiner can pay close attention to examinee. Examiner can encourage examinee and observe their behaviour during the test closely. Scores on individual tests are not as dependent on reading and writing ability as group tests are.

Limitations - Time consuming and costly to conduct. requires a highly trained examiner

Group intelligence testing

Used for screening purposes, aptitude or interest tests. Group tests allow for information to be gathered about the group in a brief period. They often involve paper and pen tests. The examiner needs little training. They follow simple guidelines and are not responsible for the analysis of the results. Participants have little interaction with the examiner. Simple written instructions are provided.

Advantages and limitations of group intelligence testing

Advantages - Group tests can be administered to large numbers simultaneously. There is a simplified examiner role. Scoring is typically more objective.

Limitations - Participants writing ability can impact their performance on the test. Time limits penalize participants with slow processing. Information obtained by group testing is generally less accurate than individual testing

Sensation

The initial detection and taking in of information by our sense organs

Perception

The brain organizing, interpreting and giving meaning to what the organs take in

3 steps of sensation

1. Reception - the presence of physical stimuli is detected by sensory neurons in the sense organs

2. Transduction - stimuli are converted into electrochemical energy

3. electrochemical energy is transferred to the brain for processing

3 steps in perception

1. Selection - the brain filters the stimuli by selecting important features for further processing whilst ignoring unimportant features

2. Organisation - the grouping of selected features of stimuli to form a whole - a gestalt

3. Interpretation - giving meaning to the whole

Perceptual illusions

A mismatch between physical reality and our perception of it

Distortion

When perception is not a true representation of the sensory input

Perceptual expectancy

The readiness to respond in a certain way because previous experience has prepared us to do so can lead us to perceive what we expect to see rather then what is there

Consciousness

The awareness of self and ones surroundings

Altered state of consciousness

Awareness that is significantly different from normal waking consciousness

6 altered states of consciousness

Unconscious, daydreaming, meditative state, anaesthetic, asleep, hypnotised

Unconscious

When a person is unable to respond to stimuli around them.

Asleep

The deepest most relaxed state of consciousness. A lack of awareness

Anaesthetized

A state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical purposes.

Meditative state

A way of deliberately inducing a state of consciousness that is very deep relaxation

Daydreaming

A state which focuses on internal thoughts, feelings and activities.

Hypnotised

A way of inducing a deep state of relaxation through suggestion. May be used in clinical practice to treat things such as anxiety, smoking and migraines.

Measuring consciousness

Heart rate, body temperature, skin conductivity, brain activity - EEG electroencephalography.

Electroencephalography

Measures frequency and amplitude of brain waves by electrodes externally on the scalp. used to study brain activity and different states of consciousness

Heart rate

Measured by heart rate monitors or by taking pulse. Heart rate slows when we are asleep or in a meditative state. Anxiety and irritation increases heart rate.

Body temperature

Measured by a clinical thermometer. During sleep our body temperature drops. Through meditative body temperature can be altered or controlled

Galvanic skin response (skin conductivity)

Detects the electrical conductivity of the skins surface or changes in sweat gland activity. Increased sweat production makes the skin a better conductor of electricity. Arousal increases skin conductivity, relaxation decreases skin conductivity. Measured by electrodes attached to the skin.

Limitations to measuring consciousness by heart rate, skin response and body temperature.

A change in any of them could be due to exercise/heat rather than the state of consciousness

Divided attention

Paying attention to multiple stimuli simultaneously. Simple tasks can be completed using divided attention

Selective attention

Paying attention to one stimuli while not attending to others. Our conscious attention is selective. Complex tasks require selective attention.

Habituation

Learning not to respond to stimuli that present repeatedly and do not grab our attention. A decreases in attention when stimuli are repeated

Dishabituation

When a change in events or activities causes us to become aware of stimuli again. A renewal of attention when there is a change in the stimulus