CognitionSubtitle

MemoryEncoding, Storing and Retrieving knowledge

Models of Memory

Information Processing (Atkinson-Shiffrin) Model

Sensory Memory: Perfect memory for brief moment

Iconic (split second) v. Echoic (3-4 seconds)

Levels of Processing Model: Visual Encoding Acoustic Encoding Semantic Encoding

Types of Memory

Short Term/Working Memory Capacity: Average = 7

Must attend to information to encode in long-term memory

Chunking Mnemonic Devices: Method of

Loci, Acronyms Rehearsal

Long-term Memory

Limitless capacity

3 Formats: Episodic Semantic Procedural

Explicit (Declarative) v. Implicit (non)

Prospective (remember to do something) vs. Retrospective (remember past events)

Retrieval

Recognition vs. Recall

Serial Position Effect Primacy vs. Recency

Tip-of-the-tongue-phenomenon Semantic Network Theory: Our memories are encoded in interconnected webs.

Flashbulb Memories

Context of memory & retrieval

Mood-Congruent

When I’m happy, I remember fun times.

State-Dependent

If I lose my keys while I an intoxicated, I will find them when I am intoxicated

Forgetting

Hermann Ebbinghaus: Nonsense syllables Initial forgetting is rapid, then levels off

Decay Relearning is faster

Interference Retroactive (new info interferes with recall of old) Proactive (old info interferes with new)

Constructed Memory

“Recovered” memories are not always reliable

Constructed memories feel real

Elizabeth Loftus: Leading questions can create a false memory

Car “crash” v. “hit” study

Memories in the Brain

Hippocampus: Gets explicit memories from ST to LT

Damage may cause Anterograde Amnesia (can’t encode new info)

BTW: Retrograde Amnesia is the inability to remember old info

Cerebellum: Implicit memories

Long-term Potentiation: Neuronal connections are strengthened with use.

Language

Elements of Language

Phonemes

Smallest unit of sound

English = 44

Morphemes

Smallest unit of meaningful sound

Syntax

The order of words to create coherent statements

Varies by language

Semantics

The meaning of words

Language Acquisition

Babbling to One-Word (holophrastic) Stage to Two-Word Stage (telegraphic) to Using sentences

Misapplication of grammar rules = Overgeneralization or Overregularization (preoperational stage)

How do we acquire language?

Behaviorists (think Skinner)

Through Association, Imitation and Reinforcement

Language Acquisition Device (Chomsky)

We are born with capacity to learn language

Learn too quickly Say things we weren’t taught

(overgeneralization)

Critical period for learning

Language & Cognition

Linguistic Determinism (Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis): Language determines how we think

Benjamin Whorf

ThinkingOrganized into Concepts, Prototypes, Images

Problem Solving

Algorithm

Methodical, guaranteed solution

Takes a long time

Heuristic

Rule of thumb

Quick, but mistake prone

Representative vs. Availability

Impediments to Problem Solving

Overconfidence

Belief bias & Belief perseverance

Mental set (aka rigidity) Functional Fixedness

Confirmation bias

Framing

Creativity

Convergent Thinking pointed toward one

solution

Divergent Thinking that searches multiple

possible answers

More creative