Psych Lecture Chapter 7 March 11th

Introduction to Cognition and Concepts

• Focus on cognition, concepts, schemata, language, problem-solving, intelligence, and learning disabilities.

• Cognitive psychology encompasses a variety of domains including thinking, judgments, language, memory, and perception.

Overview of Cognitive Psychology

• Cognitive psychology examines the thinking process and includes various specializations (e.g., language and perception).

• Importance of understanding how the brain influences cognition, thoughts, and emotions in a cyclical manner.

Emotions and Thoughts

• Emotions can impact thoughts and vice-versa; they are interconnected and affect behavior.

• Daily experiences, such as changes in schedules (e.g., daylight savings time), can affect mental states and cognition.

Concepts and Prototypes

• Concepts: Categories of information, including images and ideas; can be abstract or concrete.

• Importance of real-world experiences in shaping concepts; abstraction examples include notions like justice.

• Prototypes: The best example representing a concept (e.g., Mahatma Gandhi as a prototype for civil disobedience).

• Distinction between exemplars (specific examples of a category, e.g., individual dogs) and prototypes (average representation).

Theories of Categorization

• Prototype Theory: Organizing concepts based on averages in our brain.

• Exemplar Theory: Storing numerous examples and referring back to them directly.

• Cognitive psychology often investigates these theories through observable behavior.

Natural vs. Artificial Concepts

• Natural Concepts: Formed through real-world experience and interactions (e.g., understanding fire as hot).

• Artificial Concepts: Defined by criteria or rules, such as a triangle having three sides; knowledge of these concepts often requires specific definitions.

Schemata and Knowledge Organization

• Schema: Mental constructs that organize related concepts; essential for cognitive processing.

• Activation of schemata influences perception and response to stimuli (e.g., recognizing a dog).

• Schemata allow for appropriate behaviors based on prior knowledge and experiences.

Role and Event Schemata

• Role Schema: Expectations about how individuals behave based on their roles (e.g., police officer behaviors).

• Event Schema: Expectations about sequences within specific contexts (e.g., behavior in a restaurant).

• These schemata vary across cultures, influencing behavior and interactions.

Language and Cognition

• Language is a sophisticated communication system conveying meaning through structured words.

• Fundamental components include lexicon (vocabulary) and grammar (rules for constructing sentences).

• The work of B.F. Skinner emphasizes learning language through operant conditioning; however, Noam Chomsky challenges this view.

Noam Chomsky's Contributions

• Chomsky argued for universal grammar, suggesting innate brain structures facilitating language learning across cultures.

• Introduced the idea of a language acquisition device essential for understanding grammar and language patterns.

• Importance of critical periods for language acquisition: deprivation during these stages can impede language development.

Genie Case Study

• Genie, a child isolated for most of her early life, exemplified the effects of nature versus nurture on language acquisition.

• Initially observed to be highly intelligent but lacked grammatical structure in language acquisition due to lack of exposure.

• Her experiences highlight the significance of fostering a nurturing environment for cognitive and linguistic development.

Developmental Progression in Language

• Stages of language development: cooing, babbling, one-word utterances, two-word utterances leading to sentences.

• Over-regularization: Children may apply language rules incorrectly (e.g., "deers" instead of "deer"), indicating progress in understanding language rules.

Linguistic Determinism

• The theory suggesting that the structure of a language influences how its speakers think and perceive the world.

• This concept highlights cultural differences and the complexity of cognition as it relates to language.

Summary

• Cognitive psychology blends various domains, exploring how cognition and emotions interplay with behavior.

• Understanding concepts, prototypes, schemata, and language informs cognitive development and learning processes, emphasizing the interplay between natural experiences and structured language.