GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

1. Semantic Memory

   • Includes general knowledge and knowledge about language
   • Prototype Theory: People compare new stimuli with prototypes to categorise them
     • Frequently supply prototypes as examples of a category, and judge these more quickly after semantic priming
       • Superordinate (High level categories), Basic-Level (general terms - most often used), Subordinate (specific name)
   • Network models emphasise the relationships that exist among information stored in semantic memory
     • Andersons ACT-R Model (Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational): Declarative knowledge represents both sentences and concepts with a propositional-network structure
     • PDP (Parallel Distributed Processing) Model: proposes that a) cognitive processes are based on parallel operations, b) networks like numerous neuron-like nodes, c) a concept is represented by a pattern of activity throughout that set of nodes
       • Also known as the connectionist model
       • Proposes features to explain - spontaneous generalisation, default assignment, strengthening of connections and graceful degradation

2. Schemas and Scripts

   • Schema: Generalised knowledge about a situation, event or person. A kind of heuristic (general rule they are typically accurate)
     • Can operate during memory selection and be consistent (office schema) but often we can recall schema inconsistent
       • Typically recall complete objects when recalling a scene even if we only saw parts of those objects (boundary extensions)
     • Constructive model of memory: schemas encourage memory abstraction - remember general meaning even if detail is forgotten
       • Pragmatic view of memory: people often remember the exact words in a message when the specific words really matter.
     • Influence memory integration (Barlett's research) - people recalled information that never appeared in the orgininal material.
   • Script: Kind of schema that describes a simple, well-structured sentence of events (life script)
   • Frequently make schema-consistent inferences with gender stereotypes. ERP (event-related potential) technique and IAT (implicit association test) task