Cognitive Psychology Review

These flashcards cover key concepts in cognitive psychology to assist students in their exam preparation.

Feature Theory

A theory of categorization that relies on specific features to categorize concepts.

Definitional Theory

A theory suggesting that objects are categorized based on a set of defining characteristics.

Prototype Theory

A theory of categorization that suggests we categorize objects based on a 'prototype' or typical example.

Memory Performance

The ability to recall or recognize information that has been encoded and stored.

Implicit Memory

Memory that is not consciously recalled, often demonstrated through tasks.

Explicit Memory

Memory that requires conscious thought, such as recalling who came to dinner last night.

Misinformation Effect

When a person's memory of an event is altered by misleading information.

Proactive Interference

The detrimental effect of old information on the retrieval of new information.

Retroactive Interference

The interference of new information with the retrieval of old information.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

A brain imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to measure blood flow.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A brain imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images.

Broadbent’s Early Selection Theory

A theory of attention that posits that input is filtered early based on physical characteristics.

Dichotic Listening

An experimental technique where different messages are presented to each ear.

Top-Down Processing

Perception that is driven by cognition, influenced by prior knowledge or expectations.

Visual Sensory Store

The brief retention of sensory information from visual stimuli.

Levels of Processing Theory

A concept that suggests that deeper processing of information leads to better memory retention.

Encoding Specificity Principle

The idea that memory is improved when the conditions at retrieval match the conditions at encoding.

Spatial Theory of Mental Imagery

A theory positing that the mental representation of spatial information can affect reaction times.

Dual Coding Theory

The theory suggesting that combining verbal and visual information enhances memory.

Semantic Processing

The encoding of information based on its meaning.

Acoustic Confusions

The tendency to confuse similar-sounding words or phrases, often related to memory retention.

Shadowing Task

A task used to study attention in which participants repeat a message while ignoring another.

Interference Theory

The theory that forgetting occurs because other (new) information interferes with the retrieval of old information.

Functional Fixedness

A cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used.

Analogical Problem Solving

Solving a problem by finding a similar problem with a known solution.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms one's preconceptions.

Wason Four-Card Problem

A logic problem used to study conditional reasoning.

Causal Inference

The process of identifying causality or relationships between different phenomena.

Mean-End Analysis

A problem-solving strategy that involves breaking down a problem into smaller, more manageable parts.

Judgment Errors

Cognitive biases that lead to inaccurate conclusions or beliefs.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive method to stimulate small regions of the brain.

Torrance Test

A standardized test of creativity that measures divergent thinking.

Remote Associates Test

A test that measures creativity by assessing the ability to see relationships between words.

Unusual Uses Test

A task assessing creative thinking by asking for alternative uses for common objects.

Mental Scanning

A technique used to explore spatial relationships in mental imagery tasks.

Hierarchical Organization

A property of language where smaller components like words combine to form larger structures.

Cognitive Load

The total amount of mental effort being used in working memory.

Imagery Debate

Discussion surrounding whether mental imagery functions similarly across individuals.

Dialectical Thinking

A form of reasoning that emphasizes the interplay of contradictory thoughts or beliefs.

Insight Problems

Problems that require a new perspective to solve and often lead to sudden realizations.

Interference Effects

The phenomena where one memory competes with, or interferes with, another memory.

Hierarchical Structure

An arrangement of concepts that organizes items from general to specific.

Illusory Correlation

A cognitive bias that occurs when people perceive a relationship between two variables even when no such relationship exists.

Language Acquisition Device

Noam Chomsky's concept of an innate mental capability that helps children acquire language.