Matt Blazek
Study of the structure & functions of the mind Mind: element of a person that enables a person to be aware of the world Cognitive neuroscience: combination of brain & cognitive processes
Cognition
All the processes by which the sensory input is transformed, reduced, elaborated, stored, recovered, and used. (Neisser, 1967). Requires the use of mental representations
Individual
2.
3.
Mental processes guide behavior The mind can be studied scientifically Cognitive processes are influenced by social and cultural factors
Principle #1
actions of an organism
Principle #1 cont.
& discrimination
in nature
Memory
Reconstructive
False
memories
Perception
Cognitive
Principle #2
Laboratory
Experiments CAT scan fMRI
Natural
Case Studies
Applied research
Principle #3
suggestibility, bias
Linguistic determinism Language impose different conceptions of reality Get ready for TOK!
Schema Theory
AKA- Concepts
Schemas
by Bartlett (1932)
Cognitive schema
Networks
TOK Question: In what ways, if at all, do schemas alter our understanding and perception of the world?
Cognitive Schemas
Organize information about the world Can be linked to form systems Used for pattern recognition Help predict the future based on the past Represent knowledge
Practice
Beach
Three stages
Encoding
Storage Retrieval
Encoding
Storage
Retrieval
Uses
Categorizing
Inferences Memory
distortions Stereotyping/prejudice
Limits
How
TOK Link 1
TOK Link 2
Working Memory
Models
Atkinson & Shiffrin (1968), among others An information processing model Basis of the working memory model
Rehearsa l
Encodin
g Retrieva l Los s
Sensory Input
Sensory Memory
Selectiv e Attentio
Short-term Memory
Long-term Memory
Decay n
Displaceme nt
2.
Encodin
g Retrieva l Los s
Sensory Memory
Selectiv e Attentio
Short-term Memory
Long-term Memory
Decay n
Displaceme nt
2.
3.
Encodin
g Retrieva l Los s
Sensory Input
Sensory Memory
Selectiv e Attentio
Short-term Memory
Long-term Memory
Decay n
Displaceme nt
specific
Attention
Rehearsa l
Encodin
g Retrieva l Los s
Sensory Input
Sensory Memory
Selectiv e Attentio
Short-term Memory
Long-term Memory
Decay n
Displaceme nt
Limited capacity
About
Encodin
g Retrieva l Los s
Sensory Input
Sensory Memory
Short-term Memory
Long-term Memory
be distorted
Rehearsa l
Encodin
g Retrieva l Los s
Sensory Input
Sensory Memory
Selectiv e Attentio
Short-term Memory
Long-term Memory
Decay n
Displaceme nt
information
Others?
Working Memory
Baddeley & Hitch (1974) Based on multi-store model Believe STM is more than one store
Episodic buffer
Temporary
Phonological loop
Articulatory
control
Visuospatial sketchpad
Inner
eye
Dual-task research
Interference
tasks
Attempting to complete two tasks creates interference Baddeley & Hitch (1974)
Reading
impairment
Ability to perform on visual tasks is linked to mathematics performance Individual differences in WM may be related to intelligence Supported by Hambrick & Meinz (2011), Meinz et al. (2012), Unsworth, Shrock, & Engle et al. (2004)
Eysenck (1988)
Learning results in changes to synapses, creating memories Changes to or strengthening of connections results in neural networks
Neurons
Lesioning
Cutting
of brain tissue
Structure of LTM
Explicit Memory
Declarative Memory
Semantic Memory
Episodic Memory
Implicit Memory
Non-declarative memory
Procedural Memory
Emotional Memory
be linked with limbic system E.g. I was excited when I climbed Mt. Olympus.
Hippocampus
Role
Amygdala
Emotional
Oliver Sacks (2007) wrote about this case CW contracts herpes encephalitis Cannot form new memories
Clean
Anterograde Amnesia
The inability to form new memories Does not impact existing memory
More
Retrograde Amnesia
use/abuse
Cultural Factors
Cross-Cultural Research
Memory Strategies
age
Cultural Context
What you learn & how you think impacted by culture Internet & globalization has lessened the impact Education systems are a reflection of culture
children
If learning is culturally mediated, what value is there in studying how people learn?
To what extent can we trust the conclusions of psychological research to generalize to other cultures?
If memory is distorted and culturally dependent, how can we verify, if at all, the validity of our knowledge? Can we be certain?
Reliability of Memory
Nature of Memory
Reconstructive in nature
Active
Repression
Will still have dreams involving negative event Therapy will recover these memories
Are
False Memories
To what extent can we trust recovered memories? Memories may be created due to events after the original
False
memories
Serial Reproduction
Bartlett (1932)
Remembering
Memory is reconstructive Schemas influence recall Reproducing a story one person at a time
Telephone
game
Bartlett (1932) People reconstruct memory to fit in existing schemas Greater complexity = greater distortion Efforts after meaning
Attempting
to find meaningful
patterns
Eyewitness Testimony
Elizabeth Loftus (begins in 1970s; Loftus & Palmer, 1974) Nature of questions influences memory
How
tall was that man? Will you describe the height of the person you saw?
Single words alter recall How fast were the cars going when they ______ into each other?
Bumped,Collided collided, Bumped contacted, hit, Smashed Hit
smashed Contacte
d
40.8
39.3
38.1
34.0
31.8
Accident Test #2
32%
14% Control: 6%
There was no broken glass False memories are possible Ecological validity (Yuille & Cutshall (1986)
Cultural
Research Methods
level changes
Alzheimers
Early
3-D picture
Detects changes in oxygen use More active areas of the brain use more oxygen May also help detect Alzheimers early Kilts (2003) used to investigate product
Algorithms
Methodical,
Heuristics
Simple
SPLOYOCHYG
907,200
possible permutations
Insight
be called intuition
The pieces just fit Burst of activity in right temporal lobe May be part of humor
Sherlock Hunters
Holmes
only for evidence that confirms hypothesis What rule was used to create the following set of numbers? 2, 4, 6
Create
solutions- I will confirm or deny their conformity Only rule may be proposed
Fixation
Inability
Mental set
Tendency
way
Usually
Functional fixedness
Only
Representativeness heuristic
Judging
likelihood based on how well it matches a prototype Ignores other relevant factors
Short,
slim, & likes to read poetry More likely to be: professor or truck driver
Availability heuristic
Estimating
Overconfidence
Oh, Hitler, why Russia? How long will it take you to write your critique?
Submit estimate & document hours Students routinely underestimate (Buehler et al., 1994)
Overconfidence increases happiness, make decisions easier, seem more credible (Baumeister, 1989)
Framing
The
Belief bias
Tendency
Belief perseverance
Clinging
rejected
How, if at all, does the overconfidence theory help us understand the our knowledge?
Multiple components
Components of Emotions
Physiological changes
Autonomic
Subjective Feeling
Happy,
sad, etc.
Associated behavior
Smile,
cry, etc.
(1999)
Short route
Thalamus
to amygdala
to sensory cortex/hippocampus to
Long route
Thalamus
Appraisal
(1975)
Coping Strategies
Emotion-focused coping
Handle
Evidence of Appraisal
Flashbulb Theory
LeDoux (1999)
Arousal
not be accurate
Flashbulb Memory
Brown & Kulik (1977) Emotional memory that is vivid and detailed
Seem
JFK, MLK, RFK assassinations were remembered vividly May be neural mechanism
Neuroscience
memory
Doubting Neisser
memory Flashbulb memory is merely a schema for the event Neisser (1982)
Breckler (1994)
Current
attitudes & beliefs influence recall about blood donation negative relationship alters perception of past interactions
Happiness
Happiness is the sum of positive emotions minus the sum of negative emotions
Bentham
(1790)
What is Happiness?
(2001)
Upward comparison
Leads
Relative deprivation
Envy
+ money = happiness
reality
Faulty associations
May
Happier
Happiness can be achieved through training of mind and heart, reshaping attitudes and outlook
Dalai
State of mind is more important than circumstances Compassion is the basis of happiness Empathy
Being
Bhutan or Qatar?
is cultural
Whos Happiest?
state High level of income equality Good economy Democracy Realistic expectations
Meta-analysis
Uses data from multiple studies Only statistical calculations Large amount of data increases validity
The Rankings
1. Denmark 2. Switzerland 23. United States 41. UK 82. China 90. Japan 167. Russia
Statistical Analysis
Subjective Well-Being
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Combines happiness & satisfaction (Inglehart et al., 2004) Puerto Rico Mexico Denmark Ireland Iceland United States fifteenth
To what extent is happiness a valid construct when it cannot be compared across cultures?
Positive Psychology
White (2008)
Current
Focused on empirical study of positive emotions, strengths-based character, and healthy institutions
Seligman, Smile
Even
at a funeral
According to BBC, 81% of people believe government should invest in happiness Correlations with happiness
Health
Wealth
Education
Interdependent factors
Culture of Happiness
Lack
of corruption
Evolutionary Theory
to safety
Genetics
Regardless of environment
Devote time to family & friends Easily express gratitude Offer help (Swartz, 1999) Optimistic about future Enjoy life- live in present Exercise Lifelong goals Cope well with stress