Psychology Fundamentals

Study Notes

Definition: The selective focus on certain stimuli or tasks while ignoring others.
Types of attention:
- Sustained attention: Maintaining focus over a long period.
- Selective attention: Focusing on specific stimuli or tasks.
- Alternating attention: Switching between different tasks or stimuli.
- Divided attention: Processing multiple sources of information simultaneously.
Theories of attention:
- Filter model: Information is filtered out based on relevance.
- Bottleneck model: Information is processed in a serial manner.
- Capacity model: Attention is limited by processing capacity.

Types of memory:
- Sensory memory: Brief storage of sensory information.
- Short-term memory: Limited capacity, information is lost unless rehearsed.
- Long-term memory: Permanent storage of information.
Memory processes:
- Encoding: Information is processed and stored.
- Storage: Information is retained.
- Retrieval: Information is accessed from storage.
Memory models:
- Atkinson-Shiffrin model: Information flows from sensory memory to short-term memory to long-term memory.
- Levels of processing model: Information is processed at different levels (shallow or deep).

Definition: The process of interpreting and understanding sensory information.
Perceptual processes:
- Sensation: The detection of sensory stimuli.
- Perception: The interpretation of sensory information.
Theories of perception:
- Bottom-up processing: Perception is driven by sensory information.
- Top-down processing: Perception is influenced by prior knowledge and expectations.
Perceptual biases:
- Contextual influence: Perception is influenced by surrounding context.
- Expectation: Perception is influenced by prior expectations.

Types of learning:
- Classical conditioning: Associating stimuli with responses.
- Operant conditioning: Learning through consequences of behavior.
- Social learning: Learning through observation and imitation.
Learning theories:
- Behavioral learning theory: Focus on observable behavior.
- Cognitive learning theory: Focus on mental processes and representations.
Factors influencing learning:
- Motivation: Desire to learn.
- Reinforcement: Consequences of behavior.

Language comprehension:
- Phonology: Processing of speech sounds.
- Syntax: Processing of sentence structure.
- Semantics: Processing of meaning.
Language production:
- Speech planning: Generating speech.
- Speech execution: Articulating speech.
Theories of language processing:
- Serial processing: Language is processed in a sequential manner.
- Parallel processing: Language is processed simultaneously.
Language development:
- Language acquisition device: Innate ability to learn language.
- Interactionist approach: Language development is influenced by environment and interaction.