Ib Psych - Cognitive Perspective (Theories And Studies Focus)

Front 1

What were Koehler's (1925) gestalt theory observations?

Back 1

He reported observations which suggested animals could show behavior which was insightful (a sudden change in the way one organizes a problem situation; typically this is characterized by a change in behaviour from random responding to rule-based responding). Insight can be described as forming an appropriate schema for a particular situation (G&H, p. 151)

Front 2

What is Tolman's (1932) theory of cognitive maps?

Back 2

He theorized learning was based on relationships among stimuli; he also argued that learning and responding aren’t the same—it is possible to learning without showing a ‘correct response’ (G&H, p. 151)

Front 3

What is Tulving's (1985, 2002) theory?

Back 3

He theorized there were three different types of long term memory: procedural (‘how-to’ information), semantic (general knowledge), and episodic (personal experiences) He believes the three types function independently, supported by research. (G&H, p. 161)

Front 4

What were the conclusions from Frederick Bartlett's (1932) study?

Back 4

This British psychologist read story based on Native American legend to his subjects, asked to retell from memory; when tried to be faithful in recall, minor details were forgotten, central points tended to be exaggerated; changed details, which were consistent with Native American beliefs, but not their own. (G&H, p. 169)

Front 5

What were Elizabeth Loftus's (1989) experiments?

Back 5

This American researcher whose experiments involved the basic elements of courtroom testimony; studies called into question the reliability of eyewitness testimony—wording of questions can influence both witnesses’ interpretations and their subsequent recall; believes memory is actually altered. (G&H, p. 170)

Front 6

What is Edward DeBono's (1976) theory?

Back 6

He theorized that a creative idea is just a new idea that works; lateral thinking is the same as creative thinking (This contrasts with linear, or logical, thinking) (G&H, p. 182).

Front 7

What is Noam Chomsky's (1972, 2002) theory?

Back 7

This MIT linguist argues that human language is based on innate grammatical rules, which are part of which he calls a language acquisition device (G&H, p. 186).

Front 8

What was Allen & Beatrice Gradner's (1969) case study?

Back 8

This husband and wife team of psychologists trained a female chimp named Washoe to use a modified form of ASL; chimp signed proficiently, albeit with a limited vocabulary (G&H, p. 187).

Front 9

What is Benjamin Whorf's (1956) theory?

Back 9

This specialist in Native American languages theorized that the way a language is structured (words available for us to use) influences the way that individuals perceive, and think about, the world (G&H, p. 189).

Front 10

What is Leon Festinger's (1957) experiment?

Back 10

His theory of cognitive dissonance explains that we all seek to behave in a self-consistent manner; when actions don’t fit our beliefs, we experience tension (cognitive dissonance) (G&H, p. 191).

Front 11

What is Fritz Heider's (1958) theory?

Back 11

He founded the theory that we are all ‘psychologists’ in that we tend to interpret behavior in terms of internal (personal) and external (situational) factors; fundamental attribution error tends to underestimate situational factors; self-serving bias tends to attribute success to personal factors (G&H, p. 193).

Front 12

What were the results of Schachter & Singer's (1962) experiment?

Back 12

Their experiment argued that people tend to look at the situation for clues to their emotional state; depending on their situation, subjects interpreted arousal as either happiness or anger (G&H, p. 195).

Front 13

What is Richard Lazarus's (1993, 1996) theory?

Back 13

His cognitive appraisal theory argues that our emotions are a result of our assessment of the situation and its significance to our well-being (G&H, p. 195).

Front 14

What was Antonio Damasio's (1994) case study?

Back 14

this neurologist’s case study of a patient called Elliot with prefrontal cortex damage, reported an absence of emotions; unable to feel emotions, or made decisions 196)

Front 15

What is Jean Piaget's (1920's) theory?

Back 15

This Swiss psychologist’s theory of cognitive development proposed that as children develop, they must make constant mental adaptations to new observations and experiences; assimilation fits new information into present knowledge and beliefs (mental schema); accommodation is changing or modifying existing schema as a result of undeniable new information (T&W, p. 279).

Front 16

What are King & Kitchener's (1994) theory and therapy?

Back 16

Interviews and therapy sessions to determine whether people use reflective judgment (ability to question assumptions, evaluate evidence, relate that evidence to a theory or opinion, consider alternative interpretations, and reach conclusions that can be defended as reasonable or plausible, etc.) (T&W, p. 284-286).

Front 17

What is Brown & Kulik's (1977) theory?

Back 17

They theorized that flashbulb memories (vivid recollections of emotional events) may have evolved because such memories have survival value; however, they are not always complete or accurate records of the past (T&W, p. 307).

Front 18

What were the conclusions of Hermann Ebbinghaus's (1885, 1913) case study?

Back 18

In an effort to manage pure memory loss independent of personal experience, he memorized long lists of nonsense syllables and then tested his retention over a period of several weeks; most forgetting occurred soon after the initial learning and then leveled off )T&W, p. 334).