Cognitive Development: Information Processing

These vocabulary flashcards cover key concepts related to cognitive development and information processing, focusing on processes such as memory, learning, and cognitive strategies.

Information Processing

A framework for understanding how people process, register, encode, store, retrieve, and operate on information.

Computer Analogy

Comparison of human cognitive processes to computer operations; hardware refers to the nervous system, and software refers to cognitive strategies.

Focused Attention

The ability to concentrate on specific stimuli while ignoring others; develops from toddlerhood to preschool.

Habituation

Gradual weakening of response to a repeated stimulus, indicating memory retention.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired, leading to a conditioned response.

US (Unconditioned Stimulus)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response (e.g., meat powder causes salivation).

UR (Unconditioned Response)

An unlearned response that occurs naturally in reaction to the unconditioned stimulus (e.g., salivation from meat powder).

CS (Conditioned Stimulus)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after pairing with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a conditioned response (e.g., tone after being paired with meat powder).

CR (Conditioned Response)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus (e.g., salivation in response to a tone).

Imitation

The ability to replicate the actions or behaviors of others.

Memory Development

The cognitive growth that involves the ability to store and recall information effectively.

Short-Term Memory

A type of memory that holds information temporarily; capacity can change with age and development.

Metacognition

Awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes and cognitive strategies.

Processing Speed

The rate at which an individual can process information, affecting memory and learning.

Memory Span

The maximum number of items an individual can recall in the correct order after one presentation.

Cognitive Strategies

Goal-directed operations that enhance performance on tasks.

Theory of Mind

The ability to understand that oneself and others have mental states that influence behavior.

Synaptic Pruning

The process of eliminating unnecessary synapses in the brain, improving efficiency.

Recognition Memory

The ability to identify previously encountered information when presented with it again.

Recall Memory

The ability to retrieve information without prompts.

Source Memory

The ability to remember the source or context of learned information.

Infantile Amnesia

The phenomenon where individuals cannot recall memories from the early years of life.

Autobiographical Memory

Memory of personal experiences and events from one’s life.

Retrieval Problem

Difficulty in accessing stored information from memory.

Encoding Problem

Failure to initially store information effectively in memory.

Cognitive Development

The progression of mental processes and abilities from infancy through adulthood.

Development of Memory Strategies

The process through which individuals improve their ability to remember through learned techniques.

Developmental Differences in Memory

Variations in memory capabilities across different age groups, impacting recall and recognition.

Capacity Limits

The restrictions on the amount of information that can be processed or stored at one time.

Speed Limits

The constraints on how quickly information can be processed in the brain.

Myelination

The process of forming a myelin sheath around nerves, facilitating faster nerve impulse transmission.

Neurological Development

Biological growth and changes in the brain and nervous system affecting cognition.

Long-term Memory

A type of memory that stores vast amounts of information indefinitely.