Psych Section B

Cogntive Models

= Representations of cognitive processes meant to simplify and explain behaviour. Here, the use of a cognitive Model to simplify imagination

• Break down processes, making them observable and testable

• Generate predictions about behaviour, which can be tested

• Modelling allows imagination to be broken down, with individual sections studied in future

Classical Conditioning

 = associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus until the neutral stimulus elicits a conditioned response on its own.

• Pairing reading with rewarding UCS

• Repeat this process to establish a conditioned response to reading, as reading becomes a conditioned stimulus

• Over time, these positive associations will lead to a new outlook on the neutral stimulus

Operational Conditioning

= Encouraging / Discouraging behaviours through reinforcement or punishment

• Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement

• Negative punishment, positive punishment

• Shaping - reward for smaller tasks, building up towards target behaviour

Social learning Theory

= assumes people learn through observation and imitating what they observe

• Introduce role models - act in the desired way

  • Can see benefits, imitate good behaviour

• Strucutred activities - ___

  • Allow people to behave that way themselves

• Reinforce behaviour - operant conditioning, provide a reward

  • Behaviour will want to be replicated

Animal Model

 = using non-human animals in research to study behaviour, cognitive processes by generalising findings onto humans

• Ethical experimental manipulation

• Controlled environment 

• Thsee findings can then be generalized

Cogntive Load Theory

 = humans have limited working cognitive capacity and learning breaks down when total load exceeds capacity

• Reduce extraneous load

• Cognitive offloading

• Maximise germane load

Cognitive Processes

Use Atkinson and Schiffrin's Multi-Store Model (1968)

Multi-Store Model (1968) = information passes from sensory into STM and into LTM through rehearsal

• Memory models: attempt to explain memory as a process

• Kosta rehearses things a lot - repetition

• Active recall through flashcards (sounds familiar)

Confirmation + Anchoring Bias (Cognitive bias as a whole)

= systematic, unconscious errors in thinking that affect decisions and/or judgements

• Effect of anchoring bias

• Effect of confirmation bias

• Both were done to reduce cognitive load and extremely taxing critical thinking(system 2 thinking)

Social Identity Theory

= person has not just one “self” but several, depending on group membership

• Social categorization - In/out group

  • Makes us vs them divide, makes school identity salient

• Social Identification - Adopting norms of social group

  • Threats to school threaten self concept of school identity, motivating students

• Social Comparison - Comparing IG OG

  • COmparison inc self concept, creating in group bias, students want to fight for it

Acculturation

= Process where individual adopts elements of new culture theyre surrounded by

• Berry’s Model -> which corner?

  • The student's situation matches this corner, x is likely (same) or unlikely (different)

• Protection / Risk Factors - Increases / decreases making assimilation easier / harder

  • Example of protection/ risk factor

Compliance Techniques

= change in behviour from direct request (FITD - ??)

• Self perception theory - accepting F makes em feel good, accepts D to be consistent with self

  • F in your situation, D in your situation

• Gradual Escalation- starting small lowers resistance, puts them on board

  • In the situation

• Request size - easy to agree, small enough to do, big enough to be memorable / meaningful

  • In the situation

Emic

 = study culture from an insider's view

• Collect insider perspectives - asking what x means to them

• Semi-strucuted interviews - discuss x

  • Use data to provide cultural explanations

• Reduces researcher bias - avoids western ideas and implications

  • Increases cultural validity

Etic

= Using universal methods + categories to compare

• Standard questionnaires

• Identifies universal principals

• Risk of researchers' bias - Western ideals/implications

  • Overlooks culturally specific meanings

Conformity

= change in behaviour in reaction to group behaviour, fitting what the group is doing

• Informational Social Influence - trusting others in thinking that the group knows best

• Social pressure - desire to fit in with the group, therefore acting the same, not seen as foolish

• Biological arguments - neuroscience tells us theres evolutional reasoning (dopamine prod.)

Cognitive Dissonance

= when one's behaviour and self-concept contradict one another

• Change in beliefs - its not that bad after all, reduces discomfort

• Needs to justify it - well this is necessary, reduces comfort

• Adaptation of behaviour - i will do it this way then - reduces discomfort