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
Reception - the presence of physical stimuli is detected by sensory neurons in the sense organs
Transduction - stimuli are converted into electrochemical energy
electrochemical energy is transferred to the brain for processing
3 steps in perception
Selection - the brain filters the stimuli by selecting important features for further processing whilst ignoring unimportant features
Organisation - the grouping of selected features of stimuli to form a whole - a gestalt
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