Questions and Answers
What is the process of using information to draw conclusions and make decisions called?
Which cognitive shortcut guarantees a solution to a problem?
What type of problem is characterized by a clear problem and a known solution?
What is functional fixedness in problem-solving?
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What is the term for the stage where a child can form sentences but omits non-critical words?
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What does the nativist approach to language acquisition emphasize?
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Which theory of language acquisition combines biological predisposition and social interaction?
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What is the primary function of encoding in the memory process?
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How long does short-term memory typically hold information?
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Which of the following best describes sensory memory?
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Which statement accurately describes long-term memory?
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What is the role of retrieval in the memory process?
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In memory studies, what does the term 'chunking' represent?
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Which type of memory holds information for the shortest duration?
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What typically causes information to move from short-term memory to long-term memory?
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What is the primary goal of the memory processes identified?
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What is the purpose of pairing words together using the keyword technique?
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Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice for effective note-taking?
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How does mental imagery assist in skill improvement?
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What are prototypes in psychology primarily used for?
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Which cognitive process involves transforming information into new forms for solving problems?
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Using organizational cues while reading helps to:
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Why is the practice of talking to oneself beneficial in learning?
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How do mental groupings of similar objects or events help in organizing information?
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Which of the following is an example of a cognitive shortcut?
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What is the primary benefit of using the keyword technique in learning?
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How do prototypes function in the context of mental grouping?
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What is a primary cognitive process involved in making decisions?
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Which of the following describes a cognitive shortcut effectively?
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Why is visualizing details beneficial for skill improvement?
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What is the main purpose of organizing reading using cues?
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What role does talking to oneself play in learning?
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What is a characteristic of flashbulb memories?
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Which term best describes recollections of specific episodes from one's life?
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What is a significant reason why people forget information?
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What type of memory loss occurs through nonuse?
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What is the term for information disrupting the recall of other information?
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Which process involves using stored information to understand new events?
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What is cue-dependent forgetting?
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What causes autobiographical memories to be selectively retained?
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Which memory process involves the physical changes in the brain when new material is learned?
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Which type of long-term memory involves remembering facts and general knowledge?
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What is an example of procedural memory?
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Which memory type is crucial for filling in the blank questions on a test?
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What phenomenon describes the inability to recall information that is known?
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Which of these is considered a retrieval cue?
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Recognition memory is typically easier than recall memory because it involves:
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Which type of long-term memory pertains to specific events experienced at a certain time and place?
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What is the main characteristic of episodic memory?
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Which example best illustrates semantic memory?
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Study Notes
Problem Solving
- Reasoning: Drawing conclusions and making decisions based on information.
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Cognitive Shortcuts:
- Algorithms: Reliable rules ensuring a solution (e.g., Pythagorean theorem a² + b² = c²).
- Heuristics: Strategies that may lead to solutions, but can occasionally result in errors (e.g., prioritizing the center in tic-tac-toe).
Problem Solving Stages
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Preparation: Understanding and diagnosing the problem; simplifying and breaking it down.
- Well-defined problems: Clear problems with identifiable solutions (e.g., math equations).
- Ill-defined problems: Unclear problems needing additional information.
- Production: Generating a solution; may involve retrieval from memory, trial and error, heuristics, or algorithms.
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Judgment: Evaluating the solution’s success; clear solutions are easily judged, whereas ambiguous ones complicate the evaluation.
- Challenges in problem-solving: Misleading presentation, functional fixedness (thinking of objects only as their usual use).
Language
- Communication: Involves symbols arranged systematically to convey information.
- Critical Period: A developmental phase (around age 1) when children are most receptive to acquiring language.
- Telegraphic Speech: Simple sentences omitting non-essential words (e.g., "I show book" at age 2).
- Overgeneralization: Misapplying grammatical rules (e.g., "I runned there" at age 3).
Language Acquisition Theories
- Learning-Theory Approach: Suggests language is learned; acquisition follows reinforcement principles (e.g., praises for saying "mama").
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Nativist Approach: Proposes language skills are innate; all languages share common structures (universal grammar).
- Language-Acquisition Device: Brain structure allowing language understanding; associated genes discovered.
- Interactionist Approach: Combines biological and social factors in language development.
Foundations of Memory
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Memory: Involves encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
- Encoding: Recording information in a usable form.
- Storage: Maintaining saved information.
- Retrieval: Locating and bringing stored information to awareness.
Three-System Approach to Memory
- Sensory Memory: Brief, immediate storage lasting an instant (e.g., quick lighting).
- Short-term Memory: Holds info for 15-25 seconds; relies on meaning.
- Long-term Memory: Offers relatively permanent storage but retrieval can be challenging.
Strategies for Effective Memory
- Keyword Technique: Pair words with imagined interactions.
- Organizational Cues: Organize reading material to build connections.
- Effective Note-Taking: Engaging with material actively enhances retention.
- Verbalization: Speaking out loud aids memory storing (e.g., medical terminology).
- Repetition: Practice and rehearse to strengthen memory retention.
Thinking
- Cognitive Function: Involves the mental manipulation of information—encompassing problem-solving and decision-making.
- Mental Images: Representations in the mind that assist in skills improvement (e.g., athletes visualizing performances).
Concepts
- Cognitive Groupings: Organize similar objects or events into simpler categories.
- Prototypes: Ideal examples representing a concept (e.g., mental image of a vehicle).
Types of Long-Term Memory
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Declarative Memory (Conscious): Memory for facts (names, dates).
- Semantic Memory: General knowledge and meanings.
- Episodic Memory: Personal knowledge tied to specific events.
- Procedural Memory (Unconscious): Memory for skills and habits (e.g., riding a bike).
Memory Retrieval
- Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon: Inability to recall known information.
- Retrieval Cues: Triggers aiding memory retrieval (e.g., smells).
Recall vs. Recognition
- Recall: Specific information retrieval that relies heavily on cues (e.g., fill-in-the-blank tests).
- Recognition: Identifying previously encountered stimuli easily (e.g., multiple-choice questions).
Memory Improvement Techniques
- Use keyword techniques by pairing words and visualizing their interactions to enhance memory.
- Organize reading materials based on learning objectives to create clear connections within information.
- Take effective notes by prioritizing comprehension of material over writing verbatim.
- Verbalize information to yourself to reinforce memory, especially useful for medical terminology or definitions.
- Regular practice and rehearsal of material strengthen retention.
Thinking and Mental Imagery
- Thinking involves manipulating information such as words, images, and sounds for decision-making and problem-solving.
- Mental images represent objects or events, improving skills through visualization, as seen in athletes like basketball players.
Conceptual Understanding
- Concepts are mental groupings that simplify complex information into manageable categories.
- Prototypes serve as typical examples of concepts, aiding in understanding and identification of categories (e.g., defining a "vehicle").
Long-Term Memory Structure
- Long-term memory is a vast storehouse with unlimited capacity for retrieving information.
- It consists of various memory modules, including:
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Declarative Memory: Conscious recall of facts (e.g., names, dates).
- Semantic Memory: General knowledge and facts about the world.
- Episodic Memory: Personal events tied to specific times and places.
- Procedural Memory: Unconscious knowledge of motor skills and habits (e.g., riding a bike).
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Declarative Memory: Conscious recall of facts (e.g., names, dates).
Memory Retrieval
- The "tip of the tongue" phenomenon highlights difficulties in recalling known information.
- Retrieval cues, which may be words, sounds, or smells, assist in accessing stored memories.
- Recall: Involves retrieving specific information without prompts, crucial for fill-in-the-blank tasks.
- Recognition: Identifying previously encountered stimuli, easier than recall, exemplified by multiple-choice questions.
Types of Memories
- Flashbulb Memories: Vivid recollections of significant events, resembling snapshots.
- Autobiographical Memories: Personal recollections that shape identity and self-view, often filtered by current perceptions.
Constructive Processes in Memory
- Memories are shaped by the meaning given to events and organized into schemas, which are frameworks of stored information.
- Memory depends on exposure, understanding, and situational expectations.
Reasons for Forgetting
- Failure of Encoding: Lack of initial attention or perceived importance leads to memory gaps.
- Decay: Memory traces diminish over time without use.
- Interference: Old information disrupts recall of new information (e.g., new vs. old phone number).
- Cue-Dependent Forgetting: Insufficient retrieval cues hinder memory recovery (e.g., retracing steps to find lost keys).
Strategies for Memory Improvement
- Fostering conditions that enhance memory retention involves reinforcing recall and minimizing distractions.
Reasoning and Decision-Making
- Reasoning employs cognitive shortcuts like algorithms and heuristics for problem-solving.
- Algorithms: Guaranteed solutions through specific procedures.
- Heuristics: General strategies that may lead to effective but sometimes erroneous conclusions.
Problem-Solving Steps
- Preparation: Understand and simplify the problem, identifying relevant information.
- Production: Generate potential solutions through retrieval, trial and error, or algorithms.
- Judgment: Evaluate solutions, considering presentation pitfalls and functional fixedness that may obstruct creativity.
Language Development
- Language is a systematic symbolic communication method developed through exposure and practice.
- Critical Period: An early phase when children are sensitive to learning language.
- Telegraphic Speech: Early speech patterns using essential words, signaling beginning language skills.
- Overgeneralization: Misapplication of language rules in early speech (e.g., using "runned").
Language Acquisition Theories
- Learning-Theory Approach: Views language as a learned behavior, reinforced by praise and shaping from caregivers.
- Nativist Approach: Proposes innate language abilities underpinned by universal grammar.
- Interactionist Approach: Suggests language development stems from both biological predispositions and environmental influences.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of decision making and reasoning in this quiz. Understand the processes of using algorithms and heuristics to draw conclusions and make informed decisions. Test your knowledge on how cognitive shortcuts help in problem-solving.