PSYC 213 Midterm Review - Malka.pdf - PSYC 213 Winter 2018...

PSYC 213 Winter 2018 Malka A-r
MIDTERM REVIEW ( LECTURES 1-8)
LECTURE 1
WUNDT and TITCHENER: Structuralism Asked WHAT is the mind made of using
introspection (experimental or structured self-observation). understanding the structure
of the mind, and higher cognitive processes.
JAMES : Functionalism. focused on WHY the mind works. Mental states, including
consciousness, are developed based on the way the mind works and how these
functions are adaptive. Consciousness is constantly changing -
Behaviourism: Shifted from a focus on the mind to behavior. We should only focus on
what is observable. Did not consider intervening mental processes. Reinforcement
(operant conditioning): SKINNER . An emphasis on rigorous experimentation
NEISSER : Cognitivism. Internal mental processes could be studied and measured.
existence of internal mental states. view of the mind as a processor of information (
mind is like computer)
LECTURE 2
classic cognitive psychology views
Main idea: The world contains information for us to store and process
- The mind is a general-purpose processing system that performs a series of specific
computations
- Information flows from one step to the next
- Processing these steps takes time and resources: This limits the amount of mental
activity that can occur at one time
Information
what is information? The most basic unit of information is a Bit .
→ Information theory
we actively select information to reduce uncertainty in our minds. more info, less prob
of occurrence. Experiment ex of this theory: HICK and HYMAN. Reaction time and info
content. Information is about the context. Less probable = More information = more
proceesing. HICKS LAW : More information= more time.
processing capacity is limited, In consequence: decision fatigue ( cognitive processes
depletion)
→ two influential models
1. BROADBENT Filter Model: Processing takes time and resources. Filter information to
process it. Information-processing is restricted by channel capacity. Therefore, a lot

PSYC 213 Winter 2018 Malka A-r
of info comes in, but lots gets filtered out, so only a little bit is left to process.
Dichotic Listening Task
2. WAUGH and NORMAN ’s Model: information is processed and stored in stages.
primary memory is like a snapshot of the present without processing, it wont flow to
long term memory, and the information will be forgotten
Primary memory - → secondary memory. You need to rehearse for it to go to to
secondary memory
Example of stud: BROWN PETERSON TEST . Makes it unable for you to rehearse so info
decays and doesn ’ t pass to secondary memory ☹
→ Ecological validity: The extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be
generalized to real-life settings. GIBSON cognition in a way that reflects real world conditions.
We learn from interacting w/ environment. Cognition at ecological and not physiological level.