Behavioral Sciences 4: Cognition, Consciousness, and Language

Information Processing Model

The brain encodes, stores, and retrieves info much like a computer.

Sensorimotor

0 → 2 yrs. Child manipulates the environment to meet physical needs through circular reactions. Object permanence develops at the end of this stage.

Preoperational

2 → 7 yrs. Pretend play, symbolic thinking so they learn to talk, egocentrism & centration.

Concrete Operational

7 → 11 yrs. Understands the feelings of others. Conservation develops. Math.

Formal Operational

11 years and older. Abstract thought and problem solving. Moral reasoning.

Trial-and-Error

A problem-solving method involving repeated, varied attempts until success.

Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures that guarantee a solution.

Deductive Reasoning

Form conclusions from rules.

Inductive Reasoning

Form conclusions from evidence.

Mental Set

A pattern of approach for a given problem.

Functional Fixedness

The tendency to use objects only in the way they are normally utilized. Creates barriers to problem-solving.

Heuristics

"Rules of thumb"

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.

Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences

7 areas of intelligence; Linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal.

Alertness

State of being awake and thinking. EEG shows BETA waves when alert or concentrating, ALPHA waves when awake but tired, eyes closed. BETA: ↑freq ↓amp; ALPHA: Synchronous

Sleep

More info on right

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.

Depressants

Alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines. They ↑GABA.

Stimulants

Amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy. ↑Dopamine, ↑norepinephrine, ↑serotonin at synaptic cleft.

Opiates & 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.

Phonology

The actual sound of speech.

Morphology

The building blocks of words.

Semantics

The meaning of words.

Syntax

Rules dictating word order.

Pragmatics

Changes in language delivery depending on context.

Nativist (biological) Theory

Language acquisition is innate.

Learning (behaviorist) Theory

Language acquisition is controlled by operant conditioning and reinforcement by parents and caregivers.

Social Interactionist Theory

Language acquisition is caused by a motivation to communicate and interact with others.

Whorfian Hypothesis

Linguistic Relativity. The lens by which we view and interpret the world is created by language.

Broca’s Area

Produces speech

Wernicke’s Area

Language comprehension

Arcuate Fasciculus

Connects Broca’s Area and Wernicke’s Area.

Aphasia

Language deficit

Broca’s Aphasia

Difficult to generate speech.

Wernicke’s Aphasia

Lack of comprehension.

Conduction Aphasia

Can’t repeat words.

Stage 1

Light sleep. THETA waves.

Stage 2

Slightly deeper. THETA waves, sleep spindles, K complexes. ↓heart rate, ↓respiration, ↓temperature.

Stages 3 & 4

Deep sleep. DELTA waves. Slow-wave sleep (SWS). Most sleep disorders occur during stage 3 & 4 non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Growth hormone released.

REM sleep

The mind appears awake on EEG, but the person is asleep. Eye movements and body paralysis. Mostly BETA waves.

Sleep Cycle

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

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.

Dysomnias

Difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or avoid sleep. Insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea.

Parasomnias

Abnormal movements or behaviors during sleep. Night terrors, sleepwalking.

Selective Attention

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

Divided Attention

Uses automatic processing to pay attention to multiple activities at one time.