Cognitive Psychology: Models of Human Cognition

Cognitive Psychology

• Skiner gave little importance to intellectual abilities, believing that the environment determines our functioning.

Boxology and Connectionist Models

• Initial models of cognitive functioning were serial, where input leads to perception, attention, and output.
• Later, researchers began to think of the brain as a network of connections, leading to the development of parallel connectionist models.
• This approach acknowledges the complexity of cognitive processes and their interconnections.

Neuropsychology

• Neuropsychology studies the relationships between behavior, cognition, emotion, and underlying brain mechanisms and functioning.
• It uses diverse approaches, including animal and lesion studies, neuroimaging, and stimulation, to understand brain functioning.
• The field aims to develop reliable diagnostic tools and effective treatments for individuals with brain injuries, neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Acquired Brain Pathologies Causing Cognitive Impairment

• Acquired brain pathologies, such as Parkinson's disease, can cause gradual or sudden cognitive impairment.
• For example, in Parkinson's disease, the initial damage occurs in the substantia niagra, leading to the death of dopamine-transmitting cells.
• The extent of the damage and cell death can expand over time, affecting cognitive functioning.
• There is also a time element, as the damage can take time to develop.

Vascular Disorders

• Stroke/Cerebrovascular Accident: a blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen and potential damage to brain tissue.
• Infarct (Necrosis): the death of brain tissue due to a lack of oxygen.
• Symptoms of stroke depend on the location and availability of compensation from other blood vessels.

Circle of Willis

• The Circle of Willis is a network of blood vessels in the brain that provides a backup system in case of blockage or rupture.
• The completeness of the Circle of Willis can affect the impact of a stroke, with some individuals having a more complete or optimal circle.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

• Mild TBI: no loss of consciousness or only for a few seconds, with symptoms such as confusion, disorientation, headache, and nausea.
• Moderate TBI: loss of consciousness up to hours, with confusion lasting up to weeks, and potential long-term physical, cognitive, and behavioral complications.
• Severe TBI: life-threatening, with potential fatal consequences.

Other Concepts

• Hematoma (המטומה): a blood clot that forms in the brain, related to bleeding.
• Edema (בצקת): the accumulation of fluids, which can lead to swelling and pressure on brain tissue.
• Acceleration and Deceleration: unique to car accidents, where the brain is subjected to sudden and rapid changes in movement.

This quiz covers the development of cognitive psychology, from Skinner's environmental influence to serial and parallel connectionist models, and the role of machine learning in understanding neural connections.