Cognitive Psychology: Definition and Origins
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Questions and Answers

What does the term cognition refer to?

  • Emotional responses to stimuli
  • The ability to learn from experience
  • The development of social skills
  • The acquisition, storage, transformation, and use of knowledge (correct)
  • How does the cognitive approach to psychology primarily differ from other approaches?

  • It focuses exclusively on emotional responses.
  • It relies on introspective methods.
  • It emphasizes thought processes and knowledge. (correct)
  • It prioritizes biological factors in behavior.
  • Who is considered the founder of experimental psychology and introduced introspection?

  • Wilhelm Wundt (correct)
  • Mary Whiton Calkins
  • Hermann Ebbinghaus
  • William James
  • What concept did Mary Whiton Calkins discover?

    <p>The serial position effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the decline of introspection in cognitive psychology signify?

    <p>A shift towards more objective methods of study</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Hermann Ebbinghaus focus on in his memory studies?

    <p>The effects of time intervals on memory retention</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did William James contribute to cognitive psychology?

    <p>By theorizing about everyday psychological experiences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of cognition as described in cognitive psychology?

    <p>It is often unconscious and automatic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of the connectionist approach in cognitive psychology?

    <p>Networks of interconnected processing units</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect is highlighted by modern cognitive psychologists regarding research methods?

    <p>Balancing laboratory and real-world techniques</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does cognitive neuroscience play in the study of cognitive processes?

    <p>It integrates cognitive psychology and neuroscience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the computer metaphor relate to human cognition?

    <p>It views cognitive processes as flowing through stages</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'Zeitgeist' in the context of cognitive psychology?

    <p>The prevalent ideas of a given time and place</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a limitation of traditional memory-studies?

    <p>They may not generalize to real-world settings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the information processing system in cognitive psychology?

    <p>It is likened to a series of computer operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advancement has significantly enhanced understandings in cognitive neuroscience?

    <p>Advancements in neuroimaging technologies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does divided attention refer to?

    <p>Paying attention to multiple tasks at the same time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to research, how does multitasking affect performance?

    <p>It generally results in slower and less accurate performance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which theory proposes an early selection filter based on physical characteristics?

    <p>Broadbent’s Filter Theory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Treisman’s Filter Amplitude Theory suggest about attention?

    <p>Attention reduces the intensity of ignored stimuli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to attentional capacity when the perceptual load is high?

    <p>Early selection occurs with limited available resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon illustrates the difficulty of processing an unattended message in dichotic listening?

    <p>Few can report details about the unattended message</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scenario illustrates a high perceptual load?

    <p>Following a complex lecture on quantum mechanics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When driving, which is a safer communication option according to the content provided?

    <p>Communicating with a passenger</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is described as a perspective that constrains alternative approaches to problems?

    <p>Mental set</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is recognized as the main proponent of Structuralism?

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

    Which method is primarily associated with Structuralism?

    <p>Introspection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What psychological approach focuses on the processes of the mind rather than its contents?

    <p>Functionalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common problem associated with introspection?

    <p>Different people may obtain different results.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of problem is characterized by 'aha moments'?

    <p>Insight problems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the major criticisms of introspection within Structuralism?

    <p>It does not capture dynamic processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which proponent is heavily identified with Functionalism?

    <p>William James</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary focus of the documentary 'What is Reality'?

    <p>The relationship between perception and reality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who guides the exploration of the nature of reality in the documentary?

    <p>Dr. David Eagleman</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which theme suggests our experiences are constructed from sensory input?

    <p>Perception vs. Reality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of conditions does the film examine to illustrate differences in perception?

    <p>Colorblindness and optical illusions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What philosophical concept does the documentary raise questions about?

    <p>Free will</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Cognitive Psychology: Definition and Origins

    • Cognition refers to mental activities: acquiring, storing, processing, and utilizing knowledge.
    • Cognitive processes are constantly active, enabling us to interpret and react to our environment.
    • The cognitive approach emphasizes the influence of thoughts and knowledge on behavior.

    Influential Origins of Cognitive Psychology

    • Wilhelm Wundt: Introduced introspection as a method for studying mental processes, but it was later deemed subjective and unreliable.
    • Hermann Ebbinghaus: Conducted early systematic memory research using nonsense syllables, exploring factors like retention intervals.
    • Mary Whiton Calkins: Discovered the recency effect and advocated for studying cognition in real-world settings.
    • William James: Focused on theorizing about everyday experiences, highlighting limitations of artificial memory tasks and promoting the importance of both lab and real-world research.

    The Connectionist Approach

    • Emphasizes networks of interconnected processing units, similar to neuronal connections in the brain.
    • Suggests parallel processing, accounting for the efficiency and speed of human cognition.

    Cognitive Neuroscience

    • Integrates cognitive psychology with neuroscience to explore the neural basis of cognitive processes.
    • Advanced neuroimaging techniques have enhanced our understanding of brain function and its role in cognition.

    The Computer Metaphor of the Mind

    • Compares human cognition to computer operations, highlighting shared principles like processing and limited capacity.
    • Cognitive processes are viewed as information flowing through stages, similar to computer operations.

    Zeitgeist in Psychology

    • Refers to the prevailing ideas and trends of a particular period and place, influencing various aspects like fashion, generations, and academic thought.
    • A mental set is a perspective or set of assumptions that frames problem solving, potentially limiting alternative approaches.

    Structuralism

    • Mental set: Understanding the mind by analyzing perceptions into their components.
    • Method: Introspection.
    • Proponent: Wilhelm Wundt.
    • Problems: Introspection can be unreliable, cannot access all processes, and overlooks dynamic processes.

    Functionalism

    • Mental set: Understanding the mind by examining its processes rather than its contents.
    • Method: Introspection, observation, experimentation.
    • Proponent: William James.
    • Heavy reliance on introspection.

    Definition of Attention

    • Attention is the concentration of awareness on a stimulus, excluding other stimuli.

    Divided Attention

    • Attempting to pay attention to multiple things simultaneously.
    • Examples: multi-tasking (reading and instant messaging), talking on a cell phone while driving.
    • Research suggests that multitasking is ineffective, leading to slower reaction times and reduced accuracy.

    Measuring Divided Attention (Dichotic Listening)

    • Two different messages are presented simultaneously to separate ears.
    • Participants are instructed to shadow one message, typically noticing little about the unattended message.

    Theories of Attention

    • Broadbent’s Filter Theory: An early selective filter based on physical characteristics allows attention to one channel.
    • Treisman’s Filter Amplitude Theory: This theory proposes that the filter "turns down" the volume of the unattended channel, rather than completely blocking it.
    • Deutsch & Deutsch Late Selection Theory: All stimuli are processed, but one channel is quickly forgotten.
    • Perceptual Load Theory: Attentional capacity is limited, and capacity allocated to the main task depends on its perceptual load.
    • The process of finding a target in a visual display containing numerous distractions.

    Mind Wandering

    • Occurs when attention drifts from the current task towards internal thoughts.
    • Research demonstrates that people can be unaware of mind wandering, even when probed.

    What is Reality?

    • The documentary explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and perception.
    • Examines how the brain processes information and constructs our experiences.
    • Investigates the relationship between perception and reality.
    • Raises questions about free will and the objective nature of reality.
    • Features experts from neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy.
    • Encourages reflection on our perceptions and the complexities of consciousness.

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    Description

    Explore the foundational concepts and historical figures that shaped cognitive psychology. Learn about key contributors like Wilhelm Wundt, Hermann Ebbinghaus, and William James, and their influence on understanding cognitive processes. This quiz offers insights into the development of cognitive theories and methodologies.

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