Cognitive Psychology Chapter 1
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Questions and Answers

What aspect of cognition do cognitive psychologists primarily study?

  • Intelligence, learning, and memory (correct)
  • Physical reactions to stimuli
  • Motor skills and coordination
  • Social interactions and behavioral patterns

Why does the Stroop effect demonstrate complexity in cognitive processes?

  • It emphasizes the quick reaction times of individuals in naming colors.
  • It reveals interference between automatic processes and controlled tasks. (correct)
  • It shows that people can ignore unwanted stimuli completely.
  • It highlights the ease of multitasking during cognitive tasks.

What makes the task of naming colors in the Stroop effect challenging?

  • The colors of the rectangles are visually distracting.
  • Participants often skip the instruction to focus on colors.
  • Words create an automatic reading response that interferes. (correct)
  • The task requires advanced motor skills.

Which of the following best describes the nature of cognitive processes?

<p>They can be complex and often hidden from view. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key finding associated with the Stroop effect?

<p>Automatic processes can hinder cognitive tasks. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of early cognitive psychology?

<p>To study the mind scientifically (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method did early cognitive psychologists employ to infer mental responses?

<p>Analytic introspection (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major issue did introspection face as a method in cognitive psychology?

<p>It yielded subjective and variable results. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with significant contributions to the establishment of psychology departments in the U.S.?

<p>Wilhelm Wundt (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What foundation did the practice of cognitive psychology initially rely on?

<p>Inferring mental processes through behavior. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did John Watson criticize about introspectionism?

<p>It could not be reliably verified. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes analytic introspection?

<p>Describing internal experiences in response to stimuli. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was an important transition in psychology following the decline of cognitive psychology?

<p>The emergence of behaviorism. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of cognitive science?

<p>To bridge the gap between mental processes and brain functions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of cognitive science?

<p>Physics (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What assumption is made in cognitive information processing regarding computers and human memory?

<p>They are similar in terms of how information is stored and manipulated (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant contribution of Neisser's book to cognitive psychology?

<p>The application of flow diagrams to represent mental processes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which approach measures behavior and explains cognition in terms of that behavior?

<p>Behavioral (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the information processing era in cognitive psychology?

<p>The modeling of human tasks by digital computers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the study by Davachi Mitchell & Wagner (2003), what were the two modes of processing primarily focused on?

<p>Memory and physiology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which decade did significant experiments on perception, memory, and attention occur?

<p>1960-1970 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What gap is referred to when discussing cognitive psychology and cognitive information processing?

<p>The gap between the mind and the brain (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is evident from the flow of information processing within the mind?

<p>There is a structured sequence of cognitive operations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is an interdisciplinary approach essential in cognitive science?

<p>It allows for diverse perspectives and methodologies to address complex questions about cognition (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which psychologist is noted for evolving from behaviorism to cognitive psychology during the information processing era?

<p>American psychologists in general (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of cognitive psychology?

<p>It examines mental processes through varied methodologies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the use of flow diagrams in cognitive psychology primarily help to clarify?

<p>The sequence of information processing in the mind (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did the logic theorist Newell and Simon play in cognitive psychology?

<p>They programmed computers to perform human-like tasks (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept indicates that cognitive psychologists began to view the mind similarly to a computer?

<p>Information processing approach (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of behaviorism compared to previous psychological approaches?

<p>The measurement of observable behavior (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of conditioning involves using consequences to modify behavior?

<p>Operant Conditioning (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main method that behaviorists rejected in studying psychology?

<p>Introspection (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Pavlov's classical conditioning, what serves as the unconditioned stimulus?

<p>The meat presented to the dog (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?

<p>It strengthens behavior by adding a desirable stimulus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive aspect did early behaviorists ignore in their study of psychology?

<p>Consciousness and internal thoughts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

BF Skinner is known for which contribution to psychology?

<p>The development of operant conditioning (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes behaviorists' approach to stimulus conditions?

<p>They investigate the effects of observable stimuli on behavior (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the conferences mentioned?

<p>They combined various fields to study the mind. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which achievement is attributed to Simon and Newell?

<p>Development of the logic theorist program. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Broadbent's Flow Diagram illustrate?

<p>The role of computers in processing information. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is 1956 referred to as the 'birthday of cognitive science'?

<p>It was when significant conferences on cognitive science were held. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a key focus of the processing approach to cognitive psychology?

<p>Understanding how humans manage attention. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the implications of the findings related to attention?

<p>Selective attention allows processing of specific messages despite distractions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of human cognition did the conferences aim to explore?

<p>The relationship between thought and language. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the major contribution of IBM in 1954?

<p>Release of the first commercially available digital computer. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cognitive Psychology

A branch of psychology that scientifically studies how humans think, learn, remember, and solve problems.

Stroop Effect

The phenomenon where it's harder to name the color of a word when the word itself is a different color. For example, it's harder to say "red" when the word "blue" is printed in red.

Cognitive Processes

The mental operations and activities that create understanding, memory, and thought. These are usually complex and hidden from our conscious awareness.

Interference

The disruption in cognitive processes caused by conflicting information. In the Stroop effect, the word's meaning interferes with the ability to name its color.

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Automatic Reading Process

The unconscious and effortless ability to recognize and understand words that we are exposed to.

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Cognitive Psychology Goal

The primary objective of cognitive psychology is to study and understand the mind through scientific methods.

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First Cognitive Psychology Experiment

The first experiment in cognitive psychology involved measuring reaction times to investigate the mental processes involved in simple tasks, like pressing a button after seeing a light.

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Key Principle of Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychologists infer mental processes indirectly through observable behavior, such as reaction time, because mental processes cannot be directly measured.

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Analytic Introspection

A technique used by early cognitive psychologists where participants were trained to carefully describe their experiences and thoughts in response to specific stimuli.

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Introspectionism

A theory that emphasizes the examination of internal mental experiences, primarily through self-reflection, as the basis for understanding cognitive processes.

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Problems with Introspectionism

Introspection was criticized for its subjective nature, leading to inconsistent results across individuals, and the difficulty of verifying these observations due to their reliance on invisible mental processes.

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Wilhelm Wundt's Contribution

Wundt, a pioneer of psychology, significantly contributed to the field by training many PhD candidates who went on to establish psychology departments at various universities, furthering the discipline.

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Behaviorism Movement

Behaviorism emerged as a reaction to introspectionism, emphasizing the study of observable behaviors, rejecting the analysis of internal mental processes.

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Objective Measures

Quantifiable and measurable data that can be reliably observed and interpreted by different researchers.

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Behaviorism

A school of psychology that focuses exclusively on observable behaviors and their relationship to environmental stimuli.

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Operant Conditioning

A learning process where behaviors are modified through the use of rewards and punishments.

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Positive Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again by adding something pleasant.

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Negative Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again by removing something unpleasant.

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Classical Conditioning

A type of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a naturally occurring response, leading to a conditioned response.

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Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning.

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Processing Approach

A method of studying how people process information, especially when multiple pieces of information are presented at the same time.

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First Commercial Digital Computer (1954)

The introduction of the first digital computer to the general public, marking a crucial milestone in computing.

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Logic Theorist Program

A program designed to prove mathematical theorems, developed by Newell and Simon using the first commercially available digital computer.

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Broadbent's Flow Diagram (1958)

A model illustrating how information is processed in a computer, highlighting its relevance to understanding human cognitive processes.

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1956: Birthday of Cognitive Science

The year that two influential conferences on artificial intelligence and information processing laid the foundation for the establishment of cognitive science as a distinct field.

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Newell and Simon's Focus

Their work centered around programming computers to perform tasks that are traditionally done by humans, such as problem-solving.

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Cognitive Science

A scientific field that studies how humans think, learn, and interact with information.

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Interdisciplinary Approach

The collaboration of researchers from diverse fields like psychology, computer science, and linguistics to understand the human mind and cognitive processes.

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Information Processing Approach

A way of studying how information flows and gets processed within the mind, like a step-by-step flow diagram. It became influential in the field of cognitive psychology.

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Flow Diagram

A visual representation of how information moves through different stages in the mind. This visual diagram is used to represent how processing happens.

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Cognitive Psychology's Evolution

The shift in psychology from primarily behavioral studies to a focus on mental processes, like thinking and memory, which is referred to as the Cognitive Revolution.

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Logic Theorist

A program created by Newell and Simon in 1956 that demonstrated a computer's ability to solve problems and think like humans.

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Cherry's Experiment

A classic experiment in cognitive psychology where participants were asked to focus on one sound while ignoring another – highlighting selective attention and mental processing.

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Neisser's Influence

Neisser's book 'Cognitive Psychology' (1967) standardized the field, making cognitive psychology a well-established area of scientific study.

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Information Processing Era

A period of significant advancements in cognitive psychology where computers and information processing theories became central to understanding the human mind.

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Cognitive Information Processing

The study of how information is processed and transferred within the brain, using models inspired by computer systems.

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The 'Mind-Brain Gap'

The challenging problem of connecting the abstract concept of the mind (thoughts, feelings) to the physical reality of the brain (neurons, structures).

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Modern Approaches to Studying Cognition

Cognitive science employs multiple methods and perspectives to study the mind, ranging from behavioral experiments to neuroimaging techniques.

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Behavioral Approach to Cognition

Focuses on understanding mental processes by observing and measuring behavior, assuming that cognition is reflected in our actions.

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Physiological Approach to Cognition

Investigates brain activity and structure through techniques like fMRI and EEG, linking cognitive processes to specific areas of the brain.

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Davachi, Mitchell & Wagner Study (2003)

A study that investigated how different brain regions are involved in processing words, demonstrating the link between brain activity and cognitive tasks.

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How is Computer Memory Similar to Human Memory?

One way to understand human memory is by drawing parallels with how computers store and retrieve information, although the mechanisms are significantly different.

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Problem Solving in Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology explores how people approach and solve problems, examining the mental strategies and processes involved.

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Study Notes

Cognitive Psychology - Course Information

  • Course Code: KMF 1023
  • Lecturer: Norehan Zulkiply
  • University: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
  • Assessment:
    • Case Studies (20%): Group work (5 students) analyzing two case studies.
    • Coglab Experiments (30%): Group work (5 students) completing 5 chosen experiments and answering questions from the coglab manual.
  • eLEAP: Online platform for course materials and enrollment: https://eleap.unimas.my
  • Attendance: 80% attendance required for the final exam.
  • Prohibited Behavior: Cheating, copying, or plagiarism is strictly forbidden.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

  • Definition of Cognition: The process of "knowing," acquiring information, storing it, organizing it, manipulating it, and using it.
  • Definition of Cognitive Psychology: A scientific discipline that studies human cognition, encompassing aspects like intelligence, learning, memory, problem-solving, and other mental processes.
  • History of Cognitive Psychology:
    • Introspectionism: Early attempt to study the mind through self-observation.
    • Behaviorism: Focus on observable behaviors, not internal mental processes.
    • Information Processing Era: Explains the mind's functions by analogy to computers.
    • Modern Approach: Interdisciplinary field combining psychology, philosophy, and computer science to understand the mind.
  • Everyday Cognition: Cognitive processes like perception, attention, memory, language, reasoning, and problem-solving are constantly involved in daily activities.
  • Complexity of Cognition: Cognitive processes are often complex and not always readily apparent. An illustrative example is the Stroop effect.

Key Concepts and Experiments

  • Stroop Effect: Demonstrates the interference of automatic processes (e.g., reading words) with controlled processes (e.g., naming colors).
  • Reaction Time Experiments (Donders): Differentiating between simple and choice reaction times to infer mental processes involved in decision-making. Early work in cognitive psychology.
  • Behaviorism: Methodologies focused on observable behaviors and stimulus/response relationships. This school of thought is related to classical and operant conditioning.
  • Classical Conditioning (Pavlov): Learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that naturally elicits a response.
  • Operant Conditioning (Skinner): Learning based on the consequences of behavior, e.g., reinforcement and punishment.

The Rise of the Information Processing Era

  • Modern Approach: Multidisciplinary combining multiple fields including computer science, philosophy and anthropology to understand the mind.
  • Digital Computers: Inspired new methods for conceptualizing the mind as an information processor.
  • Information Processing: Examines how the mind processes information through a sequence of stages (e.g., input, processing, output).
  • Computer Model of Mind: Analogy for the mind's function and operations that closely resembles computer systems.
  • Information Processing Era: Emerged as a new approach in the 1950s, emphasizing how the mind processes information.

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Lect1_Introduction to Cognitive Psychology PDF

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Explore the fundamentals of cognitive psychology in this quiz, focusing on the definition of cognition and the field itself. Understand key concepts such as intelligence, memory, and problem-solving as you prepare for the course. Test your knowledge and grasp the importance of these cognitive processes.

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