L1: Introduction

Question 1

What is the information processing approach

Answer 1

Specific cognitive function is thought of as a series of stages starting with input and finishing as output

Question 2

Negatives/limitations of information processing approach

Answer 2

• Strictly serial (one step at a time) doesn’t allow for parallel processing. Many automated processes can involve a large degree of parallel processing
• assumes strict bottom up processing, ignores the influences of the ‘top’ can have on very low stages of processing

Question 3

Name the 5 different ways/approaches to studying cognition

Answer 3

• experimental cognitive psychology
• cognitive neuropsychology
• cognitive neuroscience
• computation modelling
• artificial intelligence

Question 4

Outline experimental cognitive psychology (bit of evaluation as well)

Answer 4

• controlled lab settings
• experimental manipulations to study cognition
• traditionally doesn’t care about underlying brain processes
• utilises behavioural measures instead of ‘brain measures’
• huge contribution on making psychology an empirical science

(-) ecological validity

Question 5

Outline cognitive neuropsychology and its limitations

Answer 5

• involved studying cognition in brain damaged patients (lesions, structural damage etc)
• IDENTIFY which cognitive functions are impaired snd which are still intact when certain brain areas are damaged

(-) can’t really get pre v post measures of patients performance

(-) brain damage often affects several areas, hard to establish cause and effect

(-) brain may not be strictly modular (this approach assumes modularity, and thus domain specificity)

Question 6

Outline cognitive neuroscience

Answer 6

• typically involves measuring brain activity while participants perform cognitive tasks
• relate brain structure and function to cognitive processes

Question 7

Dorsal/superior = ?
Ventral/Inferior = ?
Medial = ?
Rostral/anterior =?
Posterior = ?
Lateral = ?

Answer 7

Dorsal/superior = top
Ventral/Inferior = bottom
Medial = middle
Rostral/anterior = front
Posterior = back
Lateral = situated at the side