Cognitive Psychology Chapter 2.1 The Cognitive Science Approach

1. Cognitive Psychology Chapter 2.1 The Cognitive Science Approach

2. Chapter 2.1 Sept 17, 2013 • Outline • Cognitive Science • Seven Themes • Measuring cognitive processing • The information processing approach • Cognitive Neuropsychology • A Journey to the Center of Your Brain Study Question. • Draw a flowchart representing the General Information Processor. Identify the components.

3. The Cognitive Science Approach • Seven Themes • Attention • Automatic versus conscious processing • Data driven versus conceptually driven processing • Representation • Implicit versus Explicit Memory • Metacognition • Brain

4. The Cognitive Science Approach 100 1500 Immediate recall Final recall 80 60 Reaction Time (ms) Accuracy 1400 40 20 0 1 10 5 15 Serial Position A canary can fly A canary can breath • Measuring Information Processes • The Factory Example (Gernsbacher) • Time and Accuracy • The sentence verification task, revisited • Memory and accuracy

5. The Cognitive Science Approach • Measuring Information Processes • Trade-offs between accuracy and time. • E.g., A Neuro-enhancer is tested on mathematical ability RT (ms) Errors (%) Result A 900 800 15 5 Result B 900 800 15 15 Result C 900 900 15 5 Result D 900 800 5 15

6. The Cognitive Science Approach Extreme accuracy emphasis Normal Instructions Max Theoretical Definition Accuracy Moderate speed Emphasis Extreme Speed emphasis Chance Fast Slow Response time • Measuring Information Processes • Trade-offs between accuracy and time.

7. The Cognitive Science Approach S E L E C T I O N Short- term Memory F I L T E R R Pattern Recognition Sensory Memory S Long- term Memory • Information Processing Approach • The General Human Information Processor

8. The Cognitive Science Approach • Information Processing Approach • Process Models -Hypotheses about the specific mental processes that take place when a particular task is performed. • E.g., Sternberg’s search task (Sternberg, 1966) • Memory set is presented (e.g., B V K G) • Probe item is presented (e.g., K) • Subject must indicate as whether letter was part of the memory set • Size of the memory set varies (e.g., from 1-6)

9. The Cognitive Science Approach Results Serial self-terminating Serial exhaustive Parallel search • Information Processing Approach • Process Models -Hypotheses about the specific mental processes that take place when a particular task is performed

10. The Cognitive Science Approach • Information Processing Approach • Assumptions underlying process models • Sequential stages of processing that occur on every trial • Serial processing • Independent and nonoverlapping • Any stage is assumed to be completed before the next stage begins

11. The Cognitive Science Approach • Information Processing Approach • Difficulties • Parallel processing • Some processes may operate simultaneously • Context effects • Repetition and semantic priming • Other problems • Dependence on RT data • Do not work as well for higher level processes

12. The Cognitive Science Approach Long Term Memory Attention Sensory Memory Short Term Memory S R • The Cognitive Science Approach • Updating the standard theory • Parallel Processing • Limits on strict sequential processing • Context • Bidirectional arrows

13. The Cognitive Science Approach • Neurocognition • A journey to the center of your brain • Valiyanur Ramachandran <Video clip: Journey to the center of your brain>