Introduction to human information processing, mental representation and transformation, imagery, attention, memory, language processing, concept formation, problem solving, and computer simulation. Recorded Summer Session 2011
Decision making theories. Approaches to understanding how we make decisions. Heuristics that affect our decisions. Course summary.
Problem solving cycle. Barriers to problem solving
Language acquisition. Theories of language acquisition
Representation of semantic information. Categories, concepts, schemas and scripts
Representation of visual information. Functional Equivalency hypothesis. Dual code theory. Propositional code theory.
Encoding, storage and retrieval. Visual, auditory and semantic codes. Position effects and interference
Explicit: semantic and episodic memories. Implicit: procedural and habit memories. Amnesias
Methods used to measure memory. Implict and Explicit memory. Information processing approach: Sensory registers, short-term memory. Working Memory
Preconscious and conscious attention. Search and vigilance. Signal detection theory. Divided attention
Perceptual theories. Top-down and bottom-up processing. Visual illusions.
Sensation and perception. Figure-ground. Perceptual constancies. Depth perception. Top-down and bottom-up processing.
Cognitive neuroscience - cells of the nervous system. Basic functioning of neurons.
Syllabus and class logistics. History of cognitive science