SG

module 7

State Dependent Learning

  • Refers to the phenomenon where learning is influenced by the mood or state of mind a person is in while acquiring information.

  • Example: If someone learns material while feeling sad, they may struggle to recall it when feeling happy.

  • Important for exams; students should revisit the same emotional/physical context as during their study.

Interference in Memory

  • Proactive Interference: Older memories interfere with the recall of newer information (e.g., Liam retained older material better than new).

  • Retroactive Interference: Newer memories interfere with the recall of older information.

  • Understanding the types of interference is key for the exam.

Amnesia Types

  • Anterograde Amnesia: Inability to form new memories post-injury, associated with damage to the hippocampus.

  • Retrograde Amnesia: Loss of memories formed before the injury, associated with damage to the amygdala.

  • Important to know which type corresponds to specific brain injuries.

Grammatical Errors in Writing

  • Common mistakes in essays related to grammar, particularly with sentence structure and clauses.

  • Avoid starting sentences with conjunctions like "and" or "as well," and ensure clauses can stand alone.

  • Understanding grammatical structure helps avoid fragments and comma splices.

Processing Emotions vs. Facts

  • Experiential Processing: Refers to understanding emotions rather than mere facts, often more automatic than reflective processing.

  • Intuition plays a role in recognizing emotions, contrasting with the more deliberate reflective processing that involves effort and analysis.

Study Techniques for the Midterm

  • Study as one would for quizzes: actively engage with the material rather than just read it.

  • Techniques include explaining concepts to someone else and self-quizzing.

  • Avoid cramming; keep material fresh by reviewing shortly after lectures.

Cultural Influence on Insight

  • Cultural background shapes how problems are approached and solved.

  • Example: Differences between American and Chinese students in solving problems based on familiar cultural stories.

  • Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis: Language impacts feelings and concepts; some cultures have no words for certain feelings, affecting emotional expression.

Insight and Creativity

  • Insight: Sudden realization or understanding of a solution that may not come from active thought.

  • Inhibiting factors include emotional barriers and conventional thinking.

  • Importance of creativity in problem solving linked to intelligence; thinking outside conventional patterns leads to new solutions.

Expert Thinking

  • Super Insight: Refers to the level of expertise where knowledge and skills become automatic, enabling faster and more effective problem-solving.

  • Chess players exemplify this as they recognize patterns rapidly.

Barriers to Problem Solving

  • Emotional, cultural, learned, and perceptual barriers can hinder creative thinking.

  • Examples include fear of judgement leading to silent ideas or traditional views limiting innovative use of items.

Mental Images and Memory Processing

  • Different types of mental imagery are processed in specific areas of the brain, supporting memory recall.

  • Kinesthesis: Practicing movements mentally improves actual performance, emphasized in athletes' training.

  • Synesthesia: Cross-sensory experiences where a sensation in one modality triggers a response in another (e.g., associating colors with sounds).

Conditions for Learning and Recall

  • Insights can be impeded by habitual thought patterns and emotional experiences, particularly in group settings.

  • Recognizing barriers enhances cognitive flexibility and problem-solving capability.

Conclusion

  • Review and apply these concepts as they will help in preparation for the upcoming exam. Focus on understanding rather than memorizing facts.