PSYC2013: Cognitive processes

PSYC2013: Cognitive processes

1. Memory

   • Lecture 1
     • **Mind VS Brain:**: computational: what needs to be computed for the task to be carried out. Conceptual: represntation and algorithum, the form in which information is represented and the steps or procedures that occur to transform inputs to outputs. Hardware is the physical means in wich the algorithum is relaised.
     • **Measuring cognitive processes** Experimental cognitive psychology- theories of cognitive processes underlying a task, using behavioral evidence to test. Cognitive neuropsychology: patterns of impairment after injury to infer organization of the brain. Have to rely on single cases. Computational modeling: create computer program based on model of task performance. Often have to specify issues not in theory. Cognitive neuroscience: snapshots of brains while activity occurs. But different measures reflect different aspects of brain functioning.
     • Frameworks in cognitive psychology 1950's:** Computer metaphor-** the mind is a symbol processing system, like a computer uses symobls to process inforcmation in the real world. **Information Processing**: aquisition storage and information of symbols to meed task demands. 1980's: **Connectionist ****framework**. Neurla metaphor. The mind is mae up of interconnected processing units (neurons). The proicessing consists of transmission of activation and inhibition in these networks. 1990's: **Cognitive ** **neuroscience**. Neuroimaging has allowed many coginitve functions to be localised to partiular parts of the brain. This allows insight into thte brain mechanisms underpinning cognitive processes.