Memory, Cognition, Language, and Intelligence

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to memory, cognition, language, and intelligence as outlined in the lecture notes.

Recognition

Identifying items previously learned; utilizes most retrieval cues.

Recall

Retrieving information without cues; involves the fewest retrieval cues.

Relearning

Learning something more quickly when it is encountered again.

Semantic encoding

Encoding meaning; the strongest form of memory encoding.

Effortful processing

Requires attention and conscious effort for encoding.

Automatic processing

Unconscious encoding of incidental information.

Mnemonic devices

Memory aids that use phrases, sentences, or acronyms.

Chunking

Organizing items into familiar, manageable units.

Peg-word system

A mnemonic technique using number-rhyme associations.

Hierarchical organization

Grouping information into categories.

Sensory memory

Brief storage of sensory information; iconic (<1 sec) and echoic (3-4 sec).

Short-term memory

Holds approximately 7 items (±2) for a short duration.

Long-term memory

A permanent and limitless storehouse of information.

Working memory

Active processing of incoming information alongside long-term memory.

Explicit memory

Conscious memory of facts and experiences.

Implicit memory

Unconscious memory for skills and conditioned responses.

Priming

Activation of associations in memory to aid retrieval.

Mood-congruent memory

Recall influenced by the emotional state at the time of encoding.

State-dependent memory

Best recall occurs when an individual's internal state matches that during encoding.

Proactive interference

When old memories disrupt the retrieval of new memories.

Retroactive interference

When new memories disrupt the retrieval of old memories.

Retrograde amnesia

Inability to remember past memories prior to an injury.

Anterograde amnesia

Inability to form new memories after an injury.

Concepts

Mental groupings of similar objects, events, or people.

Prototypes

Best or most typical example of a category.

Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures that guarantee a solution.

Heuristics

Simple thinking strategies that are quicker but may be prone to error.

Insight

Sudden realization of the solution to a problem.

Fixation

Inability to see a problem from a new perspective.

Mental set

Using previously successful strategies for problem-solving.

Confirmation bias

The tendency to search for information confirming one’s beliefs.

Overconfidence

Tendency to overestimate the accuracy of one's beliefs or judgments.

Framing effect

The way information is presented influences decision-making.

Availability heuristic

Judging the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory.

Representativeness heuristic

Judging the probability of an event based on how much it resembles a prototype.

Phonemes

Smallest distinctive sound units in language.

Morphemes

Smallest units in language that carry meaning.

Syntax

Rules that govern the order of words in sentences.

Semantics

The rules that govern meaning in language.

Babbling stage

Developmental stage around 4 months of age characterized by spontaneous sounds.

One-word stage

Language acquisition stage around 1 year of age.

Two-word/telegraphic speech

Stage around 2 years where children use two-word combinations.

Chomsky's theory

Proposes the existence of universal grammar and a biological predisposition to acquire language.

Critical period

Time frame in childhood ideal for mastering language.

Linguistic determinism

The idea that language influences thought.

Spearman's g factor

The concept of general intelligence as a single factor influencing performance.

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

Theory proposing eight independent types of intelligence.

Sternberg's Triarchic Theory

Theory that identifies three types of intelligence: analytical, creative, and practical.

Emotional intelligence

The ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions.

Aptitude tests

Tests designed to predict future performance.

Achievement tests

Assessments that evaluate what a person has learned.

WAIS

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; a common intelligence test.

Reliability

The consistency of a test over time.

Validity

The accuracy or predictiveness of a test.

Standardization

The process of comparing test results to a representative sample.

Environmental influence

The impact of surroundings and experiences on intelligence, as shown by adoption studies.

Neglect/poverty impacts

The effect of neglect or poverty on cognitive development.

Cultural differences in intelligence gaps

Variations in intelligence scores due to cultural factors.