What term is latin for wise or rational man?
-homo sapien
Does the brain actively organize and alter information?
-yes
Define: concept
- mental category that groups things together that have common qualities
- (ex. concepts of emotion: anger, sadness, joy)
Why are concepts useful to us?
-they simplify and summarize information so it is manageable, and so we can make effective and efficient decisions
Define: basic concepts
- concepts that have a moderate amount of instances, and that are more easy to acquire compared to concepts having many or few instances
- (ex. book is more basic than novel, chair is more basic than furniture)
Define: prototype
- representative example of a concept
- (ex. dining room chair is representative of chairs)
Who first proposed that language molds perception and cognition, and that grammar affects how we think about the world?
-Benjamin Lee Whorf
Research has found that grammar and vocabulary affect…
- how we perceive objects
- think about time
- remember events
- shape and color
Concepts are the building blocks of thought. How do we represent their relationships to one another?
propositions-units of meaning made up of concepts that express a single idea
Define: cognitive schemas
- integrated mental network of knowledge, beliefs, and expectations concerning a particular aspect or topic of the world
- (ex. schemas about cultures, jobs, animals..etc.)
Define: mental image
-mental representation that mirrors the thing it represents
Can mental images occur in any sensory modality?
-yes
Define: subconscious processes
-mental processes occuring outside of conscious awareness, but are accessible to conscious when needed
How are subconscious processes helpful to us?
-allow us to handle more information and perform more complex tasks instead of relying solely on conscious thought
Examples of subconscious processes include…
- multitasking
- automatic processing in activities you have already mastered, such as driving, reading, etc.
Why is multitasking usually inefficient?
multitasking increases…
- task completion time
- error
- stress
- reaction time
- memory suffers
Why is multitasking a bad idea? (speaking of brain functioning)
- when doing 2 things at once, brain activity devoted to each area decreases
- when switching between 2 tasks, the prefrontal cortex becomes relatively inactive
Define: nonconscious processes
-mental processes that occur outside of and not available to conscious awareness
-what is the mental process behind “sudden revelations”?
much nonconscious mental work has already occurred:
- clues in a problem automatically activate memories or knowledge
- nonconscious processes guide you to a hunch
- thinking then becomes conscious, and you may now become aware of the solution
Define: implicit learning
-when you acquire knowledge about something without being aware of how you did so, and without being able to explain what you have learned
Define: mindlessness
-mental inflexibility, inertia, obliviousness to present context
How does mindlessness affect people?
-it keeps people from recognizing when a change in situation requires a change in behavior
