EXAM 3 PSY 110 ISU

Cognition

mental activities with thinking

Jean Piaget’s theory

Describes how cognition changes as we mature

Assimilation

Incorporate new info into existing knowledge. Treat new objects/info as if they are things we are familiar with. Ex: child assimilates a moose into her cow schema (thinks moose is a cow)

Accommodation

More sophisticated strategy. Change our understanding of the world to fit new info. Ex: child learns moose and cow are different species.

Sensorimotor Stage

First stage of thought. Learn about objects by manipulating them. Coordinate sensory input with motor actions. ex: Babies take what they grab and put it in their mouth and shake it.

Preoperational stage (2 to 7 years old)

Can use symbolic representation of objects (memory). Egocentrict, sycretic, and animist. Dont understand conservation.

Concrete operational stage (7 to 11 years old)

The Child can think logically with tangible objects and real events. Less egocentric, syncretic, and animistic. Understands conservation. Still has difficulty with hypothetical thinking.

Formal Operational stage

Piaget’s 4 stages of thinking

1. Sensorimotor Stage (birth to 2 years)

2. Preoperational stage

3. Concrete operational stage

4. Formal operational stage

Object permanence

Realize objects continue to exist even when we cannot see them. Marks the end of the sensorimotor stage.

ex: When a toy is covered by a blanket they know its under the blanket and reach to uncover it. If they didn’t devlope this then they just think the toy disappeared even though its under the blanket.

Egocentrism

In Preoperational stage. They cant distinguish own from others’ perspectives.

EX: Child hides under a pillow during hide and seek. They think because they can’t see you that means you can’t see them even though the rest of their body is seen.

Animistic thought

In preoperational stage. Children  believe inanimate objects have animate qualities ( thoughts, feelings, and intentions). EX: child believe their stuffed animals have feeling so she can’t sleeping without a single one.

Syncretism

In the preoperational stage. Child believes simultaneously occurring events are connected 

Conservation

In the preoperational stage, children don’t understand this. They don’t understand that an object’s physical properties don't change just because it looks different.

Ex: When a cup of water is poured into a bowl, the child thinks the water in the cup had more water because it was taller than the water in the bowl, even though it’s the same amount.

Centration

In the preoperational stage. Children tend to focus on one feature of a problem or object, and they ignore other features.

Ex: shocking for a child to think your mom is your grandma’s daughter because they only ever focused on the fact that they had a mom and ignored they were once a child too.

Preconventional Level

Conventional Level

Postconventional Level

Dementia

Criticisms of Kohlberg’s theory

Kohlbergs theory

Congnitive changes you should expect when you get older

things that can be done to reduce the risk of dementia

What are some modifications to Piaget’s theory that modern psychologists think are needed in order to accurately capture the nature of cognitive development?

Germinal Period

Starts at the moment of conception and lasts two weeks. The egg and sperm unite, forming a zygote. Around 7-14 days, the zygote attaches to the uterine wall.

Problems: many fertilized eggs never implant; ectopic pregnancy

Embryonic period

2-8 weeks post-conception. All body organs begin to form and function. All appendages form (form inside out)

Problems: Period of highest vulnerability to toxins, causing miscarriages to occur. (Most likely accidental because the woman usually doesn’t know she’s pregnant)

Fetal Period

8-40 weeks post-conception. Further growth and development of existing structures and organs. Many sensory capabilities are fairly well developed.

Problems: Usually due to premature birth (underdeveloped senses, immune system)

Teratogens

Any agents that harm the growing organism.

Ex: tobacco, alcohol, any kinds of drugs, viruses

Maturation

Muscular and physical growth that is relatively uninfluenced by experience.

Puberty

Secondary s3x characteristics develop(girls: wider shoulders, breast development; boys: Get taller). Sexual functions reach maturity. Average 2 years earlier in girls.

Human Gestation

40 weeks. Age of viability.

Age of Viability

Malnutrition

Influences development of baby. When mother doesnt eat enough nutrition like a low fat diet.

Physical changes expected as you get older.

Decline in: Muscle strength, Reaction time, Stamina, Sensory abilities, immune system.

Things that are likely to become more challenging for us with age