Cognitive Psychology Fundamentals

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Questions and Answers

What was Edward Chance Tolman's contribution to cognitive psychology?

He conducted studies solely on reinforcement theory.

He emphasized the importance of stimulus-response connections.

He fully embraced radical behaviorism.

He developed cognitive maps to infer mental processes. (correct)

How did Tolman's experiment with rats challenge the behaviorist perspective?

It indicated that stimulus-response connections were the only form of learning.

It proved that rats do not learn complex behaviors.

It confirmed that all learning requires direct reinforcement.

It suggested that cognitive processes may occur without observable behavior. (correct)

What is a key characteristic of cognitive maps, according to Tolman's research?

They only exist in human cognition.

They are solely based on physical reinforcement.

They enable navigation from unfamiliar starting points. (correct)

They help in navigating behaviors without prior training.

What marked the resurgence of studying the mind in psychology during the cognitive revolution?

The incorporation of cognitive responses into psychological studies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Tolman's approach to studying cognition?

Inferring mental processes from behavioral outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major implication of Tolman's findings for future cognitive psychology studies?

Mental processes should be incorporated alongside observable behavior analysis. Signup and view all the answers

Which theory did Tolman reject in favor of his cognitive approach?

Radical behaviorism. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of Tolman's maze experiment?

It indicated that animals can learn without direct rewards. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method that rationalists use to acquire knowledge or justification?

Introspective reflection Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher is known for emphasizing introspection as a superior method compared to empirical methods?

René Descartes Signup and view all the answers

What did John Locke identify as the key to understanding the human mind?

Empirical observation Signup and view all the answers

What is a basic area of psychology that focuses on cognitive processes?

Cognitive Psychology Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the beliefs about studying the mind that dominated the 1800s?

The mind cannot be studied directly. Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the study of the structure and function of the brain as it relates to cognition?

Cognitive Neuropsychology Signup and view all the answers

Which area of psychology applies methods from different disciplines to understand the mind?

Cognitive Science Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of empiricists in psychology?

Empirical evidence and experiments Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with synthesizing the views of both Descartes and Locke?

Immanuel Kant Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophical approach is primarily focused on gaining knowledge through empirical methods?

Empiricism Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between rationalism and empiricism in terms of knowledge acquisition?

Rationalism relies on logical analysis while empiricism depends on sensory experience. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the empirical investigations of psychology?

Empiricism as a philosophical stance Signup and view all the answers

During which period did the cognitive revolution in psychology occur?

1950s Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes cognitive neuroscience?

It deals with the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive functions. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes cognitive psychology from cognitive science?

Cognitive psychology is a subfield while cognitive science is interdisciplinary. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the methodological area in psychology concerned with data analysis?

Quantitative Psychology Signup and view all the answers

What does Positron Emission Tomography (PET) primarily visualize?

Activated areas of the brain during cognitive activity Signup and view all the answers

Which method provides detailed images of brain activity?

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Signup and view all the answers

What did Donders's experiments primarily measure?

Reaction times to various stimuli Signup and view all the answers

According to Ebbinghaus's findings, what is a characteristic of his saving curves?

They demonstrate a rapid loss of information initially. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of operant conditioning involves adding a positive consequence?

Positive Reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What is a feature of Skinner's operant conditioning framework?

Importance of reinforcement in shaping behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive concept did Tolman demonstrate through his maze experiments?

Cognitive mapping Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes cognitive psychology from behaviorism?

Cognitive psychology focuses on higher mental processes. Signup and view all the answers

What major shift in psychology occurred during the 1950s?

The Cognitive Revolution emphasizing the study of the mind Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors significantly influenced the Cognitive Revolution?

Advancements in cognitive neuroscience and AI Signup and view all the answers

Who coined the term 'Cognitive Psychology'?

Ulric Neisser Signup and view all the answers

What approach to studying the mind was emphasized during the Cognitive Revolution?

An information-processing approach Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the flow diagrams developed for studying the mind?

To visualize the operation of the mind in stages Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 'Cocktail Party Experiment' conducted by Colin Cherry?

It investigated selective attention in auditory processing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT part of the cognitive revolution’s influences?

Rise of behaviorism Signup and view all the answers

How did the invention of digital computers affect the study of the mind?

It provided a model for understanding mental operations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cognitive Psychology Definitions

Cognitive psychology is a scientific discipline that focuses on how people think, learn, and remember.
Cognitive psychology is a basic area of psychology that overlaps with other areas such as Cognitive Neuropsychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Cognitive Sciences.

Early Studies in Cognitive Psychology

The study of reaction time was one of the earliest methods used to study mental processes.
Donders's Experiment was a foundational experiment that used reaction time to measure mental processes.
Donders studied the sequence of mental events by manipulating the tasks for participants.
Ebbinghaus's Forgetting Curve was a demonstration of the rate at which memory fades over time.
Ebbinghaus used himself as a subject, by conducting an experiment with meaningless syllables.
Ebbinghaus's Saving Curve showed that memory can be strengthened by repetition.
Structuralism and Analytic Introspection was a school of psychology that focused on the basic elements of consciousness.
Functionalism and Associationism focused on the purpose of mental processes and how ideas are associated with one another.

Behaviorism

Behaviorism is a school of psychology that focused on observable behavior.
Behaviorism emerged as a reaction to the difficulties of studying the mind.
John B. Watson, B. F. Skinner, and Edward Thorndike were key figures in behaviorism.

The Cognitive Revolution

Edward Chance Tolman's Cognitive Maps demonstrated that rats could learn spatial relationships even without direct reinforcement.
Tolman's research marked a resurgence in the study of the mind within psychology.
The invention of the digital computer in 1954 played a major role in the cognitive revolution, offering a new model for understanding the mind as an information processing system.
Artificial Intelligence and Information Theory influenced the cognitive revolution, and provided tools for developing cognitive models.
The term "Cognitive Psychology" was coined by Ulric Neisser (1967), focusing on an information-processing approach to studying the mind.
Colin Cherry's Cocktail Party Experiment (1953) helped the cognitive revolution by showing how people can focus on information despite distractions.

The Evolution of Cognitive Psychology

Brain Imaging techniques like PET, fMRI, and EEG provide visualization of brain activity during cognitive tasks.
Cognitive psychology continues to evolve with new perspectives on behavior and emphasizing real-world situations.

Tolman's Maze and Cognitive Mapping

Tolman's research on cognitive maps demonstrated that rats learn spatial relationships and develop mental representations of their environment.

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Description

Explore the foundations of cognitive psychology, including key concepts, early studies, and influential figures. Dive into important experiments such as Donders's Reaction Time and Ebbinghaus's Forgetting Curve to understand how our minds process information and memory. This quiz will assess your knowledge of cognitive psychology principles and methodologies.