AP Psych Unit 1 Cognitive Process

Perception

Process by which we select, organize, and interpret sensory information

Bottom-up processing

Our brain makes sense of info by starting with small details and then building up to complete perception

Top-down processing

Using prior knowledge to interpret sensory input.

Selective attention

Focusing on relevant sensory information only.

Cocktail party effect

Hearing one's name in a noisy environment.

Inattentional blindness

Failing to notice unexpected stimuli while focused.

Perceptual set

Tendency to perceive based on expectations.

Schema

Mental framework for organizing knowledge and experiences.

Gestalt psychology

Perceiving whole objects rather than parts.

Figure-ground

Distinguishing an object from its background.

Grouping

Organizing stimuli into coherent groups.

Binocular depth cues

Depth perception using both eyes.

Retinal disparity

Difference in images from each eye for depth.

Monocular depth cues

Depth perception using one eye.

Relative size

Closer objects appear larger than distant ones.

Texture gradient

Closer objects show more detail than distant ones.

Linear perspective

Parallel lines appear to converge in distance.

Metacognition

Thinking about one's own thinking processes.

Executive functions

Cognitive processes for planning and organizing behavior.

Assimilation

Integrating new information into existing schemas.

Accommodation

Modifying existing schemas to incorporate new information.

Convergent thinking

Finding a single correct solution to a problem.

Divergent thinking

Generating multiple solutions to a problem.

Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures for solving problems.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts for problem-solving.

Priming

Exposure to one stimulus influences response to another.

Gambler's fallacy

Belief that past outcomes affect random events.

Sunk cost fallacy

Continuing an endeavor due to previously invested resources.

Encoding

First stage of memory; translating information.

Explicit memory

Conscious recollection of information and experiences.

Episodic memory

Long-term memory of personal experiences.

Semantic memory

Long-term memory of facts and concepts.

Implicit memory

Unconscious memory influencing behavior.

Procedural memory

Memory for performing specific tasks.

Prospective memory

Remembering to perform planned actions.

Multi-store model

Memory consists of sensory, short-term, and long-term.

Sensory memory

Initial stage of memory; brief storage.

Short-term memory

Information currently in awareness.

Working memory

Short-term memory for processing information.

Shallow processing

Surface-level encoding focusing on physical characteristics.

Phonemic processing

Encoding based on auditory characteristics.

Deep processing

Semantic encoding for better memory retention.