Memory
Describe the difference between semantic and episodic memory
Semantic memory: memory for general information
Episodic memory: memory for personal events
Describe 4 Characteristics of language.
Language is
o Symbolic
o Semantic (meaningful)
o Generative (endless combination of symbols)
o Structured (rules of arranging words into phrases and sentences)
What is the formula for a intelligence quotient ?
mental age / chronological age (*100)
What are the three things for information to
1. get in memory
2. be maintained in memory, and
3. be pulled back out of memory?
are these steps dependent on each other?
Encoding: involves forming a memory code
Storage: involved maintaining encoded information in memory over time
Retrieval: involves recovering information from memory stores
No. the steps are not dependent on each other.
What is the difference between a phoneme and a morpheme? Give examples of each?
Phonemes: smallest speech units which can be distinguished perceptually
o For English language- about 40
Morphemes: the smallest unit of meaning in a language
o About 50 000 in English
o Ex. Prefixes, suffixes, and root words
Robert Sternberg - cognitive approach
o Triarchic theory of successful intelligence- asserts that there are three aspects of
intelligence:
Analytical intelligence- abstract reasoning, judgement, and evaluation
Creative intelligence- new ideas and inventive when dealing with novel problems
Practical intelligence - dealing with everyday problems , acquiring tacit knowledge
What is the cocktail party phenomenon?
Person blocks out all other conversation when talking to someone (early filter)
o But hears their name when its mentioned in another conversation (late filter)
o Suggests that attention involves late selection based on the meaning of input
What is the difference between over extension and under extension?
Overextension: when child incorrectly uses a word to describe a wider set of objects or action than it is meant to
o Ex. Ball for apples and oranges and moon (1-2.5 years)
Underextensions: when child incorrectly uses a word to describe narrower sets of objects than it is meant to
o Ex. Doll used only for favourite toy
What are savants?
Savants
Show amazing abilities in certain artistic or intellectual domains , but lack abilities such as practical everyday task performance
o Ex. Kim Peek
Define 3 processes to enrich encoding processes.
1. Elaboration (Enhances semantic encoding)
o Linking stimulus to other information at the time of encoding
Ex. Applying phobia learning through classical conditioning to your own fears of spiders
2. Visual Imagery
Imagery- the creation of visual images to represent the words to be remembered
o Easier to form images of objects rather than abstract concepts
Imagery provides a second kind of memory code
o Dual-coding theory: holds that memory is enhanced by forming semantic and visual codes,
since either can lead to recall
3. Self-Referent Encoding
Involves deciding how or whether information is personally relevant
Appears to enhance recall by promoting additional elaboration and better organization of information
Define and describe the availability heuristic and the representative heuristic?
The availability heuristic involves basing the estimated probability of an event on the ease with which relevant instances come to mind
o Ex. Estimate divorce rates by recalling number of divorces among your friends' parents
o If instances occur frequently but you have difficulty retrieving them from memory, estimate will be biased
Representativeness heuristic involves basing the estimated probability of an event on how similarit is to the typical prototype of that event
o ex. Coin toss (probability of TTTTT and HTTHTH, the probability of each exact sequence isthe same, 1/64)
Average IQ for many of larger minority groups in US is somewhat lower than average for whites. Describe why this may be the case?
1. Socioeconomic Disadvantage as an Explanation
Many social scientists argue minority students IQ scores are depressed because they grow up in deprived environment that create disadvantage- both in school and in IQ tests
2. Cultural Bias on IQ Tests as an Explanation
Some critics argue that differences in IQ tests are partly due to a cultural bias built into IQ tests
o These tests are constructed by white, middle-class psychologists, draw on their experiences and knowledge, and use language and vocabulary that reflects that
What is the difference between declarative and non -declarative memory.
Declarative memory: system handles factual information
ex. Words, definitions, dates, faces, concepts, and ideas
Nondeclarative or procedural memory: system houses memory for action, skills, operations and conditioned responses
Define and describe conjunction fallacy?
Conjunction fallacy occurs when people estimate that the odds of two uncertain events happening together are greater than the odds of either event happening alone
o University professor vs university professor who is also a politician
Define intellectual disability (ID). what do people with ID have deficiencies in?
Intellectual disability: general mental ability accompanied by deficiencies in adaptive skills,originating before age 18.
o Deficiencies in:
Conceptual skills (ex. Managing money, writing letter)
Social skills (ex. making friends)
Practical skills (ex. Preparing meal)