Cognition, Consciousness, Language

Chapter 4 of Behavioral Sciences

information processing model

encoding, storage, retrieval

piaget’s stages of cognitive development

sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational

adaptation

how new information is processed

assimilation

process of classifying new info into existing schemata

accomodation

process by which existing schemata are modified to encompass new information

sensorimotor stage

(birth - 2yo) - manipulate environment for physical needs and object permanence

preoperational stage

(2yo- 7yo) - symbolic thinking, egocentrism

concrete operational

(7yo- 11yo) - understans conservation and feeling of others, logic

formal operational

(11yo+) - think abstractly and problem solve

fluid intelligence

solve new/novel problems

crystallized intelligence

solve problems using acquired knowledge (procedural)

dementia

impaired memory/judgement and confusion over period of time

delirium

rapid fluctation in cognitive function

functional fixedness

inability to consider how ot use an object in a non-traditional manner

trial and error

various solutions tried until one is found that seems to work

algorithms

formula/procedure for solving certain type of problem

deductive reasoning

top-down: draw conclusion from general rules

inductive reasoning

bottom-up: create theory via generalizations

heuristics

simplified principles used to make decisions (“rule of thumb”)

availability heuristic

base likelihood of an event on how easily examples of that event come to mind

representativeness heuristic

categorizing itemson basis of whether they fit stereotypical image of category

biases

when experimenter or decision maker is unable to objectively evaluate information

intuition

“gut feeling” regarding particular decision

Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligence

propose 8 areas of intelligence (linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist)

consciousness

one’s level of awareness for both world and own existence within world

alertness

state of consciousness in whih we are awake and able to think

EEG

records electrical patterns within different portions of the brain

awake

beta + alpha waves

Stage 1 (NREM 1)

theta waves - light sleeping/dozing

Stage 2 (NREM 2)

theta waves - sleep spindles and K complexes

Stage 3 + 4 (NREM 3/4)

delta waves - slow-wave sleep, dreams, declarative memory consolidation, sleep-wake disorders during this stage

REM

beta waves - appear awake physiologically but body is paralyzed, dreams, procedural memory consolidtation

normal sleep cycle

1-2-3-4-3-2-REM or 1-2-3-4-REM

2 hormones regulating circadian rhythm

• melatonin - pineal gland (sleep)

• cortisol - adreanal cortex (wakefulness)

dyssomnia

insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, sleep deprivation

parasomnia

night terros, sleep walking,

narcolepsy

lack of voluntary control over onset of sleep

hypnagogic hallucinations

occurs when one GOes to bed

hypnopompic hallucinations

occurs when one POPs out of bed

depressants

promote/mimic GABA activity (alcohol, barbiturates, benzos)

stimulants

increase dopamine, NE, serotonin concentration on synaptic cleft (amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy)

opiates/opiods

death by respiratory depression (heroin, morphine, opium, pain meds)

hallucinogens

distortion/enhancement of sensory experiences (LSD, peyote, mescaline, ketamine)

marijuana

has depressents, stimulant, hallucinogenic affects (inhibits GABA)

drug addiction

mediated by mesolimbic pathway (nucelus accumbens, medial forebrain bundle, ventral tegmental area) - dopamine = NT

selective attention

focus on one stimulus while ignoring other stimuli

cocktail party phenomenon

perceive important info (ex. name, gate #) while engaged in another activity

divided attention

automatic processing to pay attention to multiple activities at one time

undivided attention

controlled (effortful) processing

phonolgy

sound of speech

morphology

building blocks of words

semantics

meaning of words

syntax

rules dictating word order

pragmatics

change in language delivery depending on context

9-12 mo

babbling

12-18 mo

one word/month

18-20 mo

explosion of language and combing words

2-3 yrs

longer sentences

5 yrs

language rules mastered

nativist (biological) theory

language acquisition is innate and controlled by language acquisition device

learning (behaviorist) theory

language acquisition is controlled by operant conditioning and reinforced by caregivers

social interactionist theory

language acquisition is caused by motivation to communicate and interact with others

Whorfian hypothesis

linguistic relativity: lens which we view and interpret world is created by language

Broca’s area

motor function of speech

Wernicke’s area

language comprehension

arcuate fasciculus

connect Broca’s and Wernicke’s area

conduction aphasia

inability to repeat words heard despite intact speech generation and comprehension