Detecting the World
Converting physical energy into neural signals
Transduction
Retinal cells detecting color
Cones
Theory stating different hair cells respond to different frequencies
Place Theory
Olfaction is the sense of _______
Smell
Using prior knowledge to interpret stimuli
Top-down processing
mental shortcut or "rule of thumb" that helps us make quick judgments and solve problems efficiently
Heuristic
the part of the memory system where information is stored for roughly 20 seconds
short term memory
the process of transforming information into a form that can be stored and retrieved by the brain
Encoding
Improved memory from testing
Testing effect
The fear that one's behavior or performance will confirm an existing belief about a group with which one identifies
Stereotype Threat
Minimum stimulus detected 50% of the time
Absolute threshold
explains color vision by proposing that the retina contains three types of cone photoreceptors
Trichromatic Theory
Inner ear canals controlling balance
Semicircular canals
Gustation is the sense of ____________
Taste
Depth cues requiring both eyes
Binocular cues
A cognitive bias that prevents someone from seeing new or alternative uses for an object beyond its traditional or intended function
Functional fixedness
Refers to memories regarding how to perform actions, such as using chopsticks or riding a bike
Procedural memory
A cognitive strategy that involves grouping individual pieces of information into larger, more manageable units
Chunking
The process of retaining encoded information over time
Storage
The concept that a single, underlying mental ability influences performance across all cognitive tasks
Spearman's General Intelligence (g)
process by which our sensory receptors become less responsive to constant stimuli over time
Sensory adaptation
explains that color vision work through opposing pairs of receptors
Opponent-process theory
Spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear containing hair cells
Cochlea
This is when the brain still sends signals despite limb loss
Phantom Limb Syndrome
the failure to notice significant changes in a visual environment, even when they happen right before your eyes, often because attention is focused elsewhere
Change blindness
the tendency to approach problems using strategies or solutions that have worked in the past, even when those methods are no longer effective
mental set
This memory refers to remembering to perform intended actions in the future or remembering events that will occur in the future
Prospective memory
Memory advantage for remembering first and last items
serial position effect
an individual's ability to recall memories that match their current mood more easily than memories that don't align with how they currently feel
Mood-Congruent Memory
Theory emphasizing analytical, creative, and practical intelligence
Sternberg's Triarchic Theory
principle describing the relationship between stimulus and resulting sensation, stating that the Just Noticeable Difference is a constant proportion of the original intensity of the stimulus
A condition that involves the inability to recognize faces
prosopagnosia
Hearing loss most likely due to inner ear damage
Sensorineural deafness
Theory that explains pain regulation
Gate control theory
Ability to focus on one conversation in a noisy room
Cocktail Party Effect
methodical, step-by-step procedure or formula that guarantees a correct solution to a problem, unlike faster but less reliable methods
Algorithm
Model including sensory, short-term, and long-term memory
Multi-store memory model
One way to improve memory and understanding is monitoring and reflecting on your own thinking. What is this called?
Metacognition
Refers to false memories we create due to incorrect information we receive after an event has occurred
Misinformation Effect
Tests designed to predict future performance
Aptitude Tests
Difference between sensation & perception
Sensation is the detection of stimuli, perception is how we interpret sensations
Part of the idea responsible for the sharpest vision
Fovea
Theory explaining perception of medium-to-high frequencies using alternating groups of neurons firing
Volley Theory
the sense that detects the movement, position, and action of your body parts relative to each other, allowing you to control and coordinate movement without needing to look
Kinesthetic sense
a school of thought emphasizing that we perceive unified wholes rather than just separate parts
Gestalt psychology/principles
a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions
Divergent Thinking
The cognitive processes involved in understanding and interpreting the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences
Curve showing rapid initial forgetting
Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve
when previously learned information interferes with the learning or recall of new information
Proactive interference
Increase in average IQ scores over generation