Exam 1 Review - Cognitive Psychology

Lectures 2,

Introspectionism

• First systematic application of scientific method to thought.

• Structuralism: break down thought into irreducible elements.

Why was introspectionism important?

Convinced people psychology was worth studying.

What were the problems associated with Introspectionism?

• Poor reliability between participants.

• Only covers conscious thought.

• Observing thought changes it.

• Wasn’t producing interesting results.

Behaviorism 

A theory that concentrates only on objectively observable behavior rather than on the thinking process.

Classical Conditioning

A previously neutral stimulus comes to have meaning by pairing it to automatic reflexes.

Operant Conditioning

A previously neutral response comes to have meaning by pairing it to consequences (rewards and punishments).

What were the limitations of Behaviorism?

• Assumption of a ‘blank slate’ clearly had issues.

• Fixed Action Patterns

• Critical Periods

• Complex Behaviors were not explained well through reward mechanisms

• Cognitive Map

• Language

• Strategies

• Capacity Limits

What replaced Behaviorism?

Cognitive Psychology & The Information Processing Model

The Information Processing Model

Humans are processors of info, like computers. The processing of information supports human thought and behavior.

Cognitive Psychology

Scientific study of the mind and mental processing.

How do Cognitive Psychologists answer questions?

Observe —> Theorize —> Test —→ Repeat.

What are 3 different types of methods for testing a hypothesis?

Descriptive, Relational, & Experimental Research.

Descriptive research is ___ in causal evidence, and ___ in ecological validity.

low, high

Experimental Research is ___ in causal evidence, and ___ in ecological validity.

high, low

How did the brain become linked to cognition?

Early neurological studies demonstrated localization of function.

What are 2 examples that demonstrate the localization of function in cognition?

Broca’s Aphasia & Wernicke’s Aphasia

Neurons

individual, physically separated, cells which transmit signals in the nervous system.