PS200 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology Unit 1
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Transcript of PS200 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology Unit 1
PS200
Introduction to Cognitive
Psychology
Unit 1Nichola Cohen Ph.D.
Overview
Get to know each other
Class expectations and the syllabus
What is Cognitive Psychology?
Questions
Syllabus
Please read it!
Reading: Ebook – chapters can be found in Doc Sharing Each week 1 chapter of reading Additional resources in reading tab – check the
reading tab for each unit
Flex seminars
Choice of seminars Wednesday 8PM EST – Christina Migliara Thursday 12PM EST – Nichola Cohen Monday 9PM EST – Brian Kelley
You only need to attend 1 seminar!
Or, you can complete seminar option 2
Discussion board
Each unit has a discussion board
You should post 1 primary response and 2 peer responses to each thread Primary post = 150 words Peer responses = 50 words
Posts must be substantial
You must make reference to the reading 4 points for this!
Deadlines
All assignments and DB posts are due by 11.59 PM EST Tuesday I do accept late work BUT you will lose 1 letter grade per
week for late submission Extensions can be granted for extenuating circumstances
Email me and let me know before the deadline is missed
Projects: Unit 3 and 9 Start thinking about them early Read the rubric!
Exam: Unit 5 30 multiple choice questions 1 short answer question
Questions
Course questions section
Email me
Discussion board
Seminar
One final thing….
Be nice!
What is Cognitive Psychology?
What is Cognitive Psychology?
Developed in the 1960’s
It is the scientific study of mental processes
Utilizes an experimental approach to studying the mind
Investigates processes such as perception, memory, attention, problem solving, decision making
Investigates which parts of the brain contribute to these processes
Information processing models
Models that explain how stimuli are perceived processed, stored and recalled
Sensation and Perception
Sensory organs receive new information from the environment
Sensory store occurs when one or more sensory organ forms an impression
Information is sent to working memory for processing
What is the difference between sensation and perception?
Sensation and perception
Sensory organs receive new information from the environment
Sensory store occurs when one or more sensory organ forms an impression
Information is sent to working memory for processing
What is the difference between sensation and perception? Sensation – assesses stimuli, but does not interpret
it Perception – interpretation of sensory information
Working memory
Working memory
Composed of short-term memory (content) and processing (attention, rehearsal etc)
Has limited capacity
Attention is key to working memory
Is the link between sensory information and long term memory
Information in working memory is rehearsed in a loop (rehearsal loop) Phonological loop (words) Visuo-spatial sketchpad (images)
Long-term memory
Long-term memory
Information stored long term
Created as a function of working memory and the rehearsal loop
Most memories stored in the temporal lobes
Memories can be implicit and explicit Explicit: Also known as declarative, are memories
that we are conscious of Semantic – Memories of facts Episodic – Memories of personal experience
Implicit: Also known as procedural, are memories without awareness
Cerebral Cortex
The total surface area of the cerebral cortex is approximately 2,200 to 2,400 cm2
2/3 of this folding is confined within the depths of the sulci
Anatomical LocalizationSulci and Gyri
SU
LC
US
GY
RU
SS
ULC
US
FISSURE
Source: Ludwig & Klingler, 1956, in Tamraz & Comair, 2000
Why is the cortex folded?
Why is the cortex folded?
Can squeeze more area into a smaller space
Neurons are brought closer together to each other
The lobes
Sylvian Fissure
c. 2008 Pearson Allyn & Bacon
Beneath the cortex
Limbic System Diencephalon
How might we determine where in the brain processes
are localized?
How might we determine where in the brain processes
are localized? Study of patients with brain damage
Neuroimaging techniques
Transient lesion techniques
Localization of function
Phineas Gage Explosion forced a
steel rod through his skull
Damaged his frontal lobes
Suffered from major personality changes
Retained speech and many other cognitive functions
Measures Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) response Indirect measure of neural activity
Used to map function of brain
Correlative links between brain and behavior
Electroencephalography (EEG)
How does it work? Electromagnetic Induction
Advantages? Creates ‘virtual lesions’ Safe and reversible Good temporal and spatial resolution Causative links between brain and behavior
Uses? Map functions of cortex Clinical applications