Cognitive Psychology Overview

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Questions and Answers

What does the difference between Choice RT and Simple RT indicate?

The time to make a decision (correct)

The participant's level of attention

The speed of the physical response

The complexity of the stimulus

How much longer is the Choice RT compared to the Simple RT?

1 second

1/10 second (correct)

1/2 second

1/5 second

What method did Wundt use to analyze experiences and thought processes?

Case studies

Experimental observation

Analytic introspection (correct)

Empirical research

What was the focus of Ebbinghaus's research?

Memory and forgetting Signup and view all the answers

What effect did short-break intervals have on Ebbinghaus's ability to relearn lists?

Fewer repetitions necessary to relearn Signup and view all the answers

What did Wundt believe constituted overall experience?

Sensations combined in unique ways Signup and view all the answers

What are the three stages of memory proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin?

Sensory memory, short-term memory, long-term memory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a part of Ebbinghaus's methodology?

Observing naturalistic behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from participants' behaviors in reaction time studies?

Inferences can be made about mental responses Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory is associated with life events according to Tulving's model?

Episodic memory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of long-term memory as identified by Tulving?

Working memory Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of sensory memory?

Lasts for less than 1 second Signup and view all the answers

Which brain imaging technique uses electrical responses to study the nervous system?

Electrophysiology Signup and view all the answers

Which type of long-term memory is primarily concerned with facts?

Semantic memory Signup and view all the answers

What does functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measure?

Blood flow changes in the brain Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about short-term memory is true?

It has a limited capacity and lasts a few seconds. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument presented by Skinner regarding language acquisition?

Children learn language through imitation and reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

According to Chomsky, what aspect of language acquisition is critical to understanding how children develop language skills?

Language is determined by an inborn biological program. Signup and view all the answers

What does Thomas Kuhn's concept of a scientific revolution emphasize?

The effect of paradigm shifts on scientific progress. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the information-processing approach in psychology?

It uses insights from the functioning of the digital computer. Signup and view all the answers

What challenges Skinner's theory of language acquisition?

Children can produce unique sentences they have never heard. Signup and view all the answers

What significant shift does the introduction of the digital computer represent in psychology?

An emphasis on understanding behavior through mental processes. Signup and view all the answers

How does Chomsky view the language children produce?

It often includes incorrect forms that were not rewarded. Signup and view all the answers

In rejecting behaviorism, what does the cognitive approach aim to study?

The sequential stages of mental processes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary contribution of Cherry's study in 1953?

It introduced the idea of selective attention. Signup and view all the answers

In Broadbent's 1958 model, what happens to unattended information?

It is filtered out and does not reach awareness. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant aspect of the cognitive revolution in psychology?

The shift towards an information-processing approach. Signup and view all the answers

What did McCarthy et al. describe as artificial intelligence in 1955?

Machines behaving intelligently like humans. Signup and view all the answers

What direction did Newell and Simon take in developing the logic theorist program?

Generating proofs for mathematical theorems based on logic. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept did Cherry's experiments primarily highlight?

The processing limits of auditory stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the cognitive revolution have on psychology?

Integrated cognitive and behavioral approaches. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of attention was explored through the flow diagram developed by Broadbent?

Attention filters out irrelevant stimuli while enhancing focus. Signup and view all the answers

How does cognitive psychology define the 'mind'?

The mental processes that influence behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What was Wilhelm Wundt primarily known for in the study of psychology?

Introducing the concept of introspection. Signup and view all the answers

What motivation drove Watson and Skinner to focus on observable behaviors?

A belief that mental processes could not be quantified. Signup and view all the answers

What key event in the 1950s and 1960s contributed to the cognitive revolution?

Advancements in computer technology and information theory. Signup and view all the answers

In what way has the scope of cognitive psychology expanded since the 1950s?

The integration of technology into cognitive research. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pairs of psychologists had contrasting views towards observable behavior?

Tolman and Watson. Signup and view all the answers

Which attribute is NOT typically associated with cognitive psychology?

Analysis of unconscious motivations. Signup and view all the answers

Which early psychologist conducted significant research on memory through experiments?

Ebbinghaus. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology studies the mind and its processes, encompassing how we perceive, remember, think, and solve problems.
Understanding the mind involves exploring inner workings that are not directly observable.

Historical Approaches to Studying the Mind

Wundt (1879): Established the first psychology lab; focused on structuralism, which combined basic elements of experience known as sensations.
Ebbinghaus (1885): Investigated memory using nonsense syllables; demonstrated that relearning is more efficient with shorter breaks between study sessions.
Donders: Developed reaction time experiments; differentiated between simple and choice reaction times to infer cognitive decision-making processes.

Evolution of Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology gained prominence during the 1950s and 1960s, known as the cognitive revolution, shifting away from behaviorism.
Key concepts of memory:
- Atkinson and Shiffrin's three-stage model: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
- Tulving identified three types of long-term memory: episodic (events), semantic (facts), and procedural (skills).

The Decline of Behaviorism

Behaviorism, primarily represented by Skinner, emphasized observable behaviors and operant conditioning in language acquisition.
Chomsky's critique: Argued against the idea that language learning occurs solely through imitation, highlighting innate linguistic capabilities of children.

Key Events Leading to the Cognitive Revolution

Introduction of digital computers promoted new information-processing approaches, allowing for the modeling of cognitive processes.
Cherry and Broadbent researched attention; Cherry found selective attention allows processing of one message while filtering out others.

Neuropsychology and Cognition

Neuropsychology studies behaviors of individuals with brain damage to understand cognitive functions.
Modern techniques such as PET and fMRI reveal active brain regions during cognitive tasks.

Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science

AI research aims to create machines that exhibit human-like intelligence.
Newell and Simon developed programs capable of logical reasoning, which exemplified cognitive models.

Paradigms in Cognitive Psychology

Thomas Kuhn's paradigm shifts illustrate how scientific revolutions occur through changes in foundational theories and methodologies.

Practical Applications of Cognitive Psychology

Insights from cognitive psychology are applicable in everyday situations, enhancing learning, memory, and decision-making processes.

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Description

Explore the fascinating field of cognitive psychology, focusing on the mind's processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving. Understand the historical approaches, including key figures like Wundt and Ebbinghaus, and the evolution of cognitive psychology during the 1950s and 1960s.