6th

Representation of Knowledge in Memory

• Knowledge can be represented and manipulated in various forms.

• Importance of images and propositions in memory representation.

Key Concepts

Storage and Representation

• Knowledge representations: forms and storage methods.

• Theories describing knowledge representation.

• Mental imagery manipulation techniques.

• Integrative approaches to understanding representation.

Types of Knowledge

• Declarative Knowledge: Facts and information (e.g., "My name is Mary.")

• Procedural Knowledge: Skills and processes.

External Representation

Representation Forms

• Pictures: Concrete attributes depicted (e.g., shape of objects).

• Words: Abstract concepts requiring rule application (e.g., spelling).

Comparison: Picture vs. Words

• Pictures convey geometric shapes; words convey abstract notions.

• Representation differences impact comprehension.

Internal Representation

Mental Imagery

• Represents information not currently sensed, based on experiences.

• Involves various sensory modalities.

Dual-Code Theory

• Combines pictorial (analog) and verbal (symbolic) information.

• Verbal information processed differently than pictorial information.

Propositional Theory

• Focus on abstract concepts through propositions (relationships between elements).

• Propositional representations capture a variety of relationships (e.g., actions, attributes).

Examples of Propositional Relationships

• Actions: "A mouse bit a cat." represented as Bite(mouse, cat).

• Attributes: "Mice are furry." represented as furry(mouse).

• Spatial Positions: "A cat is under the table." represented as under(cat, table).

• Class Membership: "A cat is an animal." represented as member(cat, animal).

Limitations and Manipulations

Limitations of Mental Images

• Visual images may be distorted by verbal input.

Mental Manipulation Hypotheses

• Functional-equivalence hypothesis: Suggests images use the same operations as propositions.

• Time delays in mental tasks vary based on object sizes and distances.

Evidence and Studies

• Studies show varying reaction times for mental rotations based on angles (Shepard & Metzler).

• Same brain areas involved in perception are active during mental rotations.

Integrating Dual-Code and Propositional Theories

Mental Models

• Merging images with propositions leads to mental models.

• Mental models are structured knowledge constrained by individual theories.