MCAT Soc/Psych: Attention, Cognition, Consciousness

Selective attention

Allows one to pay attention to particular stimulus while determining if additional stimuli in the background requires attention

divided attention

uses automatic processing to pay attention to multiple activities at one times

Information processing model

what model? → The brain encodes, stores, and retrieves info much like a

computer.

Piaget’s stages

Involve schemas and assimilation vs. accommodation.

sensorimotor

stage of Piaget’s stages: 0 → 2 yrs. Child manipulates the

environment to meet physical needs through circular

reactions. Object permanence develops at the end of

this stage.

preoperational

stage of Piaget’s stages: 2 → 7 yrs. Pretend play, symbolic

thinking so they learn to talk, egocentrism & centration.

concrete operational

stage of Piaget’s stages: 7 → 11 yrs. Understands the

feelings of others. Conservation develops. Math.

formal operational

Piaget’s stage: 11 years and older. Abstract

thought and problem solving. Moral reasoning.

memory

one of the most significant changes that occur during adulthood

recall

over the age of 60 what is harder? (recall or recognizing?)

recognize

is this example recall or recognize? For example, if you were to say, "My birthday is coming up!" someone elderly could recognize that your birthday was in July.

recall

s this example recall or recognize? : So, without prompting, an elderly person would know that your birthday is in July.

nature vs nuture

our cognitive development is a complicated interaction between our genetic predispositions to certain abilities and disabilities and our environment

organization and planning

processes that occur in frontal lobe that affect cognition

hippocampus

part of brain that is responsible for forming new memories

Trial-and-Error

Algorithms

Deductive Reasoning

Inductive Reasoning

types of problem solving

trial and error

the process by which we experiment using various different approaches until we find one that is effective.

algorithm

the process of following a set of particular rules or calculations, often involving a computer, to come up with the correct answer.

heuristics

the process of using cognitive shortcuts, formed by someone's previous experiences. A "rule of thumb" is an example

deductive reasoning

form conclusions from rules

inductive reasoning

form conclusion from evidence

mental set

A pattern of approach for a given problem., the inclination to fixate on answers that have been successful in the past, even though they may be irrelevant or inappropriate for solving the current problem.

functional fixedness

The tendency to use objects only in the way they are

normally utilized. Creates barriers to problem-solving.

functional fixedness

what is this an example of?: One may think the only way to get to work is by driving, when other methods exist such as biking or public transportation

availability heuristic

When we make our decisions based on how easily

similar instances can be imagined.

representativeness Heuristic

The tendency to make decisions about actions / events

based on our standard representations of the events.

confirmation bias

The tendency to focus on information that fits an

individual’s beliefs, while rejecting information that

goes against those beliefs.

Fixation

the failure to see an issue from a new perspective. Sometimes occurs because of a mental set.

Linguistic, logical-

mathematical, musical, visual-spatial, bodily-

kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal.

7 areas of intelligence

general intelligence

is the type of intelligence that underlies all types of intelligence. It is arguable whether this factor is quantifiable.

emotional intelligence

a type of intelligence that refers to one's ability to understand, sympathize/empathize, regulate, and express one's emotions.

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence -Developed by Robert Sternberg, 3 components

Experiential intelligence

Componential intelligence

Contextual intelligence

Experiential intelligence

(also known as creative intelligence) the ability to familiarize oneself with new circumstances and form new concepts. For example: If you move to a foreign country and you are able to learn the new language, you are exhibiting this.

componential intelligence

also known as analytical intelligence) the traditional idea of intelligence. Includes ability to logically reason and think abstractly. Also includes the ability to communicate and think mathematically. This type of intelligence can be evaluated by standard tests of intelligence (e.g. IQ tests).

contextual intelligence

(also known as practical intelligence, or "street smarts") this is the ability to apply one's knowledge base to the world around them. Example: You have learned that UV rays from the sun can give you skin cancer, so when the sunlight becomes intense, you move to sit in the shade.

Primary Mental Abilities

Belief is that we are born with seven ___ mental abilities

Savant Syndrome

rare, and is characterized by extreme talent in one particular area, such as music, but rather poor cognitive functioning in most other fields. This condition often involves a form of mental retardation, such as autism.

alertness

State of being awake and thinking. EEG shows BETA waves

when alert or concentrating, ALPHA waves when awake but

tired, eyes closed. BETA: inc. ­freq dec. amp; ALPHA: Synchronous

Hypnosis

Individuals appear to be in normal control of their faculties

but are in a highly suggestible state. Used for pain control,

psychological therapy, memory enhancement.

meditation

Quieting of the mind. Used for relief of anxiety.

Beta-Alpha-Theta-Delta

brain waves in sleep stages

stage 1

Stage of sleep: Light sleep. THETA waves

Stage 2

stage of sleep: Slightly deeper. THETA waves, sleep spindles, K

complexes. ̄dec. heart rate, ̄dec. respiration, ̄dec. temperature.

Stage 3 and 4

Deep sleep. DELTA waves. Slow-wave sleep (SWS).

Most sleep disorders occur during this stage non-

rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Growth hormone

released.

Rapid eye movement

REM sleep. The mind appears awake on EEG, but the

person is asleep. Eye movements and body paralysis.

Mostly BETA waves.

90 min. Stages: 1-2-3-4-3-2-REM or 1-2-3-4-REM

what is the sleep cycle?

circadian rhythm

24 hours. Melatonin triggers sleepiness. Cortisol

promotes wakefulness

dreaming

mostly during REM

Activation-Synthesis Theory

Dreams result from brain activation during REM

sleep. Activation in brainstem, synthesis in cortex.

Dyssomnias

Difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or

avoid sleep. Insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea.

Parasomnias

Abnormal movements or behaviors

during sleep. Night terrors, sleepwalking.

measures movements of the eyes during sleep.

What does EOG measure?

measures the electrical impulses of the brain, these high frequencies and low amplitudes are known as alpha waves (collectively referred to as neural synchrony)

What does an EEG measure?

measures musculoskeletal movements.

What does an EMG measure?

sleep apnea

characterized by disruptive pauses in breathing that can last up to a minute, often causing the person to wake up. (Occurs more in obese people).

narcolepsy

a condition in which someone will fall asleep somewhat randomly, but especially when the person is relaxed.

insomnia

this refers to the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for lasting periods of time. It can be caused by chronic stress, and is often treated by sleeping pills.

Irregular Sleep-Wake syndrome

an extreme form of insomnia, with only 1-4 hours of sleep in a period of 24 hours. Someone with this syndrome does not feel sleep deprived, and is able to function normally.

The Dissociation Theory

the hypnosis patient is experiencing a divided state of consciousness. It is thought that if the patient alters their focus and tunes-out their everyday state of consciousness, they will be able to focus on another more specific and directed state of consciousness.

The Social Influence Theory

people under hypnosis are highly vulnerable to social influences. This means that the hypnosis patient may do and say what the hypnotist expects of them without even meaning to.

Dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT)

type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It is prescribed widely among people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Mindfulness-based stress reduction

program based on the management of stress. The program includes various activities that focus on mindfulness, such as yoga and meditation

depressants

Alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines.

They ­increase GABA.

stimulants

Amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy.

­increase Dopamine, ­increase norepinephrine, ­increase serotonin at synaptic cleft.

opiates and opioids

Heroin, morphine, opium, oxycodone & hydrocodone.

Can cause death by respiratory depression.

hallucinogens

LSD, peyote, mescaline, ketamine

mesolimbic pathway

Mediates drug addiction. Includes nucleus accumbens,

medial forebrain bundle, and ventral tegmental area.

Dopamine is the main neurotransmitter.

Depress the inhibition and reasoning areas of the brain

Use leads to delayed reaction time, slurred speech, and poor motor skills

Can cause short-term memory loss (blackouts)

Affects dopamine (responsible for happy feeling) and GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric acid, responsible for calm feeling) systems

depressants effect on body

behave the same way as our own endorphins, causing users to feel relaxed and joyful

opiates effect on body

Can cause slurred speech, slowed heart beat, and weakness

barbiturates effect on body

Can also be used to prevent seizures

Stimulates GABA system, creates feeling of calm

Benzodiazepines effect on body

Increase the speed of bodily functions (breathing, heart rate, overall increased energy)

Users feel energized and hyper alert

Often used for purposes such as staying awake and improving physical abilities

Prescribed to treat attention deficit disorders such as ADD and ADHD (Adderall).

Stimulants effect on body

Psychological dependence

occurs when the drug user is dependent on their drug(s) of choice to avoid painful emotions and memories. Often times the user has been subjected to emotional and/or physical trauma in the past.

Physiological dependence

occurs when the user's body becomes so accustomed to having the drug that when the user stops they experience withdrawal. Withdrawal refers to uncomfortable feelings such as fatigue, nausea, irritability, and headache once the drug has been stopped. Withdrawal can be fatal (e.g. alcohol).