Unit 7: Cognition – (Expanded) (8-10%)
Based on AP Psychology/Summary Outline for 2010
Martin A. Anderson, Ph.D.
VII.
Cognition (Memory, Language, Thinking, Problem Solving)
Processes involved in the transformation, reduction, elaboration, storage, recovery, and use
of sensory input

Codes are created from cognitive processes that serve as the basis for our knowledge of
the world

These codes can be stored, recovered, and reconstructed (reconstruction is a common
occurrence that is highly correlated with our general world knowledge
A. Memory
Basic Memory Processes
Encoding (Attention, Levels of Processing, Enrichment {Elaboration, Imagery,
(distinctions
Self Reference})
between types
Storage (Durability, Capacity, Transfer from short term to long term,
of processing)
Organization {Clustering, Hierarchies, Networks, Schemas})
Retrieval (Cues, Context, Mood, Reconstruction, Source Monitoring)
(models of
Sensory Memory, Short-term (working) memory, Long-term memory
memory
Encoding codes
processes and
Acoustic - Visual- Semantic
practical
Types of long-term memories –
methods for
Explicit / Implicit memory (Warrington & Weiskrantz)
improving
Procedural / Declarative
memory)
Episodic / Semantic (Tulving)
Prospective / Retrospective (Harris)
Retrieval of memory: Recognition and Recall, Retrieval cues
Forgetting – Decay, Interference, Motivated Forgetting
Constructive Memory (Repressed Memories Controversy}
Improving Memory –
Adequate Rehearsal, Distributed Practice, Deep Processing,
Organization, Verbal Mnemonics, Visual Mnemonics.
B. Language
Language – Symbols and Rules
Language is symbolic, semantic, generative, structured
(study of
Language Structure
various
Phonemes, Morphemes, Words, Syntax
psycholinguistic
Surface Structure/Deep Structure
models of
Language Development:
language)
Moving toward word production -Babbling
Word production - One-word
(how biological,
Word combination - Telegraphic speech
cognitive, and
Complex Sentences
cultural-social
Language Acquisition
constraints
Behaviorist Theories (Skinner)
operate on the
Nativist Theories (Chomsky)
acquisition,
Interactionist Theories (Cognitive Theories, Social Communication Theories)
development,
Issues in Language
and use of
Linguistic Relativity (Whorf) – Current Status
language)
Bilingualism / Sexism in Language
/ Chimps and Language

Continued 
Unit 7: Cognition – (Expanded)
Page Two
C. Thinking
(psychological
views of
different
modes of
thinking,
including
concept
formation)
D. Problem
Solving and
Creativity
(problemsolving
strategies)
(distinction
between
algorithms and
heuristics)
(common
difficulties)
(role of
creativity in
problem solving
and thinking)
Imagery
Concepts
Formal and Natural Concepts
Prototypes
Exemplars
Categories
Deductive and Inductive Reasoning
Decision Making, Forming Judgments
Heuristics (Representativeness and Availability Heuristics)
Overconfidence
Belief Bias
Framing
Problem Solving
Approaches
Trial and Error
Algorithms
,
Heuristics
Using Sub-goals
Working Backward
Obstacles
Confirmation Bias
Fixation
Functional Fixedness
Mental Set
Creativity
The Creative Process
Preparation, Incubation, Illumination, Translation
Divergent Thinking
Measuring Creativity
Characteristics of Creative People
Expertise, Openness to Experience, Independence of Mind,
Intrinsic Motivation (“Flow” Csikszentmihalyi), Perseverance
Savant Syndrome