Cognition
4th Edition
Published on 9. August 2005
Book
Hardback
640 pages
978-0-13-155271-5 (ISBN)
Description
The psychology of human memory and cognition is fascinating, dealing with questions and ideas that are inherently interesting, such as how we think, reason, remember, and use language. This text is directed primarily toward undergraduate students at junior and senior level. Using a first person narrative, posing direct questions to the reader, and balancing classic research with cutting edge topics, the author draws in the reader and conveys the excitement of the field.
The fourth edition thoroughly covers the foundation areas in cognition. Reflecting the increasing use of new technologies to study memory and cognition, Ashcraft continues to integrate sections on neurosciences withing individual chapter topics. A major section in the introductory chapters provides background and information on neurons and the brain, so even students without formal coursework on the biological bases of congnition will be prepared for the cognitive neuroscience coverage in the text.
Other important new developments also examined in the new edition include: false memory research, new research on working memory and individual differences, new strides in online investigations of comprehension and reading, and new challenges to the classic research in heurstics in decision-making.
The fourth edition thoroughly covers the foundation areas in cognition. Reflecting the increasing use of new technologies to study memory and cognition, Ashcraft continues to integrate sections on neurosciences withing individual chapter topics. A major section in the introductory chapters provides background and information on neurons and the brain, so even students without formal coursework on the biological bases of congnition will be prepared for the cognitive neuroscience coverage in the text.
Other important new developments also examined in the new edition include: false memory research, new research on working memory and individual differences, new strides in online investigations of comprehension and reading, and new challenges to the classic research in heurstics in decision-making.
More details
Edition
4th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 191 mm
Weight
1150 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-13-155271-5 (9780131552715)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Content
1. Cognitive Psychology : An Introduction
Thinking About Thinking
Memory and Cognition Defined
An Introductory History of Cognitive Psychology
Anticipations of Psychology
Early Psychology
Behaviorism and Neobehaviorism
Dissatifaction with Behaviorism: The Winds of Change
Cognitive Psychology and Information Processing: The New Direction
The Assumptions of Cognitive Psychology
2. The Cognitive Science Approach
Guiding Principles
Themes
Measuring Information Processes
Getting Started
Time and Accuracy Measures
Guiding Analogies
The Information-Processing Approach
The Standard Theory
A Process Model
The Strict Information Processing Approach
Some Difficulties
The Modern Cognitive Approach: Cognitive Science
Updating the Standard Theory
Fixing the Narrowness
Neurocognition: The Brain and Cognition Together
Basic Neurology
Brain Anatomy
Principles of Functioning
Split Brain Research and Lateralization
Methods of Investigation
3. Perception and Pattern Recognition
Visual Perception
Gathering Visual Information
Visual Sensory Memory
The Argument About Iconic Memory
A Summary for Visual Sensory Memory
Pattern Recognition: Written Language
The Template Approach
Visual Feature Detection
Beyond Features: Conceptually Driven Pattern Recognition
Object Recognition and Agnosia
Recognition by Components
Agnosia
Implications for Cognitive Science
Auditory Perception
Auditory Sensory Memory
Auditory Pattern Recognition
4. Attention
Multiple Meaning of Attention
Basics of Attention
Basic Input Attentional Processes
Alertness and Arousal
Reflexive Attention and the Orienting Response
Spotlight Attention and Visual Search
Contrasting Input and Controlled Attention
Controlled, Voluntary Attention
Selective Attention and the Cocktail Party Effect
Selection Models
Attention as a Mental Resource
Automatic and Conscious Processing Theories
A Synthesis for Attention and Automaticity
Disadvantages of Automaticity
A Disorder of Attention: Hemineglect
5. Short-Term Working Memory
Short-Term Memory: A Limited-Capacity Bottleneck
The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two
The Brown-Peterson Task: Decay from Short-Term Memory
Interferences versus Decay in Short-Term Memory
Short-Term Memory and Recall
Free versus Serial Recall
Serial Position Effects
Rehearsal Buffer
Retrieval from Short-Term Memory
Recognition Tasks
Short-Term Memory Scanning: The Sternberg Task
Multiple Codes in Short-Term Memory
Verbal Codes
Semantic Codes
Visual Codes
Other Codes
Working Memory
Early Neuropsychological Evidence
The Components of Working Memory
The Dual Task Method Applied to Working Memory
Testing the Working Memory Model
Neuropsychological Evidence
Individual Differences Approach to Working Memory
Overview
6. Learning and Remembering
Preliminary Issues
Mnemonic Devices
The Ebbinghaus Tradition of Memory Research
Metamemory
Storing Information in Episodic Memory
Rehearsal
Frequency of Rehearsal
Two Kinds of Rehearsal
Depth of Processing
Challenges to Depth of Processing
Defining Levels
Organization in Storage
Imagery
Storage Summary: Encoding Specificity
Retrieving Episodic Information
Decay
Interference
Retrieval Failure
Retrieval Cues and Encoding Specificity
Amnesia and Implicit Memory
Dissociation of Episodic and Semantic Memory
Anterograde Amnesia
Implicit and Explicit Memory
7. Knowing
Semantic Memory
The Collins and Quillian ( and Loftus) Model
Smith's Feature Comparison Model
Empirical Tests of Semantic Memory Models
Clashing Models of Explainations
Semantic Relatedness
Categorization, Classification, and Prototypes
Concept Formation
Natural Language Concepts
Internal Structure and the Power of Categorization
Priming in Semantic Memory
Nuts and Bolts of Priming Tasks
Empirical Demonstrations of Priming
Priming in Other Tasks
Priming is Automatic
Priming is an Implicit Process
Context, Connectionism, and the Brain
Context
Connectionism
Connectionsim and the Brain
8. Using Knowledge in the Real World
The Seven Sins of Memory
Reconstructive Memory and Semantic Integration
Bartlett's Research
Schemata
Semantic Integration
Technical and Content Accuracy
Propositions
The Nature of Propositions
Strengths of Propositional Theories
Rules for Deriving Propositions
Are Propositions Real?
Propositions, Semantic Networks, and Scripts
Scripts
Evidence of Scripts
False Memories, Eyewitness Memory. and "Forgotten Memories"
False Memories
Leading Questions and Memory Distortion
The Misinformation Effect
Source Misattribution and Misinformation Acceptance
Stronger Memory Distortion Effects
Repressed and Recovered Memories
Autobiographical Memories
The Bahrick Work
The Relationship of Laboratory to Real-World Memory
The Irony of Memory
9. Language
Linguistic Universals and Functions
Defining Language
Universals of Language
Animal Communication Systems
Five Levels of Analysis, a Critical Distinction, and Whorf's Hypothesis
Phonology: The Sounds of Language
Sounds in Isolation
Combining Phonemes into Words
Speech Perception and Context
A Final Puzzle
Syntax: The Ordering of Words and Phrases
Chomsky's Transformational Grammar
Limitations of the Transformational Grammar Approach
The Cognitive Role of Syntax
Lexical and Semantic Factors: The Meaning in Language
Morphemes
The Lexical Representation
Case Grammar
Interaction of Syntax and Semantics
Evidence for the Semantic Grammar Approaches
Case Grammar, Propositions, and Comprehension
Brain and Language
Aphasia
Generalizing from Aphasia
Language in the Intact Brain
10. Comprehension: Written and Spoken Language
Getting Started: An Overview
Conceptual and Rule Knowledge
Traditional Comprehension Research
Online Comprehension Tasks
Comprehension as Mental Structure Building
A Situation Model Approach to Comprehension
Reference, Inference, and Memory
Reference
Implication and Inference
Simple Reference and Inference
Inferences During Comprehension
The Processes and Extent of Drawing Inferences
Reading
Gaze Duration Procedures
Basic Online Reading Effects
A Model of Reading
Summary
Spoken Language and Conversation
The Structure of Conversations
Cognitive Conversational Characteristics
Empirical Effects in Conversation
11. Decisions, Judgments, and Reasoning
Formal Logic and Reasoning
Syllogisms
Conditional Reasoning: If P Then Q
Hypothesis Testing
Decisions
Decisions About Physical Differences
Decisions About Symbolic Differences
Decisions About Geographic Distances
Decisions and Reasoning Under Uncertainty
Algorithms and Heuristics
Heuristics, Biases, and Fallacies
The Representativeness Heuristic
The Availability Heuristics
The Simulation Heuristics
The Undoing Heuristics: Counterfactual Reasoning
Adaptive Thinking and " Fast, Frugal" Heuristics
The Ongoing Debate
Limitations in Reasoning
Limited Domain Knowledge
Limitations in Processing Resources
Appendix: Algorithms for Coin Tosses and Hospital Births
12. Problem Solving
The Status of Problem-Solving Area
Gestalt Psychology and Problem Solving
Early Gestalt Research
Difficulties in Problem Solving
Insight and Analogy
Insight
Analogy
Neurocognition in Analogy and Insight
Basics of Problem Solving
Characteristics of Problem Solving
A Vocabulary of Problem Solving
Means-End Analysis: A Fundamental Heuristic
The Basics of Means-End Analysis
Means-End Analysis and the Tower of Hanoi
General Problem Solver
Adaptive Control of Thought
Improving Your Problem Solving
Increase Your Domain Knowledge
Automate Some Components of the Problem-Solving Solution
Follow a Systematic Plan
Draw Inferences
Develop Subgoals
Work Backward
Search for Contradictions
Search for Relations Among Problems
Find a Different Problem Representation
If All Else Fails, Try Practice
Glossary
References
Photo Credits
Name Index
Subjet Index
Thinking About Thinking
Memory and Cognition Defined
An Introductory History of Cognitive Psychology
Anticipations of Psychology
Early Psychology
Behaviorism and Neobehaviorism
Dissatifaction with Behaviorism: The Winds of Change
Cognitive Psychology and Information Processing: The New Direction
The Assumptions of Cognitive Psychology
2. The Cognitive Science Approach
Guiding Principles
Themes
Measuring Information Processes
Getting Started
Time and Accuracy Measures
Guiding Analogies
The Information-Processing Approach
The Standard Theory
A Process Model
The Strict Information Processing Approach
Some Difficulties
The Modern Cognitive Approach: Cognitive Science
Updating the Standard Theory
Fixing the Narrowness
Neurocognition: The Brain and Cognition Together
Basic Neurology
Brain Anatomy
Principles of Functioning
Split Brain Research and Lateralization
Methods of Investigation
3. Perception and Pattern Recognition
Visual Perception
Gathering Visual Information
Visual Sensory Memory
The Argument About Iconic Memory
A Summary for Visual Sensory Memory
Pattern Recognition: Written Language
The Template Approach
Visual Feature Detection
Beyond Features: Conceptually Driven Pattern Recognition
Object Recognition and Agnosia
Recognition by Components
Agnosia
Implications for Cognitive Science
Auditory Perception
Auditory Sensory Memory
Auditory Pattern Recognition
4. Attention
Multiple Meaning of Attention
Basics of Attention
Basic Input Attentional Processes
Alertness and Arousal
Reflexive Attention and the Orienting Response
Spotlight Attention and Visual Search
Contrasting Input and Controlled Attention
Controlled, Voluntary Attention
Selective Attention and the Cocktail Party Effect
Selection Models
Attention as a Mental Resource
Automatic and Conscious Processing Theories
A Synthesis for Attention and Automaticity
Disadvantages of Automaticity
A Disorder of Attention: Hemineglect
5. Short-Term Working Memory
Short-Term Memory: A Limited-Capacity Bottleneck
The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two
The Brown-Peterson Task: Decay from Short-Term Memory
Interferences versus Decay in Short-Term Memory
Short-Term Memory and Recall
Free versus Serial Recall
Serial Position Effects
Rehearsal Buffer
Retrieval from Short-Term Memory
Recognition Tasks
Short-Term Memory Scanning: The Sternberg Task
Multiple Codes in Short-Term Memory
Verbal Codes
Semantic Codes
Visual Codes
Other Codes
Working Memory
Early Neuropsychological Evidence
The Components of Working Memory
The Dual Task Method Applied to Working Memory
Testing the Working Memory Model
Neuropsychological Evidence
Individual Differences Approach to Working Memory
Overview
6. Learning and Remembering
Preliminary Issues
Mnemonic Devices
The Ebbinghaus Tradition of Memory Research
Metamemory
Storing Information in Episodic Memory
Rehearsal
Frequency of Rehearsal
Two Kinds of Rehearsal
Depth of Processing
Challenges to Depth of Processing
Defining Levels
Organization in Storage
Imagery
Storage Summary: Encoding Specificity
Retrieving Episodic Information
Decay
Interference
Retrieval Failure
Retrieval Cues and Encoding Specificity
Amnesia and Implicit Memory
Dissociation of Episodic and Semantic Memory
Anterograde Amnesia
Implicit and Explicit Memory
7. Knowing
Semantic Memory
The Collins and Quillian ( and Loftus) Model
Smith's Feature Comparison Model
Empirical Tests of Semantic Memory Models
Clashing Models of Explainations
Semantic Relatedness
Categorization, Classification, and Prototypes
Concept Formation
Natural Language Concepts
Internal Structure and the Power of Categorization
Priming in Semantic Memory
Nuts and Bolts of Priming Tasks
Empirical Demonstrations of Priming
Priming in Other Tasks
Priming is Automatic
Priming is an Implicit Process
Context, Connectionism, and the Brain
Context
Connectionism
Connectionsim and the Brain
8. Using Knowledge in the Real World
The Seven Sins of Memory
Reconstructive Memory and Semantic Integration
Bartlett's Research
Schemata
Semantic Integration
Technical and Content Accuracy
Propositions
The Nature of Propositions
Strengths of Propositional Theories
Rules for Deriving Propositions
Are Propositions Real?
Propositions, Semantic Networks, and Scripts
Scripts
Evidence of Scripts
False Memories, Eyewitness Memory. and "Forgotten Memories"
False Memories
Leading Questions and Memory Distortion
The Misinformation Effect
Source Misattribution and Misinformation Acceptance
Stronger Memory Distortion Effects
Repressed and Recovered Memories
Autobiographical Memories
The Bahrick Work
The Relationship of Laboratory to Real-World Memory
The Irony of Memory
9. Language
Linguistic Universals and Functions
Defining Language
Universals of Language
Animal Communication Systems
Five Levels of Analysis, a Critical Distinction, and Whorf's Hypothesis
Phonology: The Sounds of Language
Sounds in Isolation
Combining Phonemes into Words
Speech Perception and Context
A Final Puzzle
Syntax: The Ordering of Words and Phrases
Chomsky's Transformational Grammar
Limitations of the Transformational Grammar Approach
The Cognitive Role of Syntax
Lexical and Semantic Factors: The Meaning in Language
Morphemes
The Lexical Representation
Case Grammar
Interaction of Syntax and Semantics
Evidence for the Semantic Grammar Approaches
Case Grammar, Propositions, and Comprehension
Brain and Language
Aphasia
Generalizing from Aphasia
Language in the Intact Brain
10. Comprehension: Written and Spoken Language
Getting Started: An Overview
Conceptual and Rule Knowledge
Traditional Comprehension Research
Online Comprehension Tasks
Comprehension as Mental Structure Building
A Situation Model Approach to Comprehension
Reference, Inference, and Memory
Reference
Implication and Inference
Simple Reference and Inference
Inferences During Comprehension
The Processes and Extent of Drawing Inferences
Reading
Gaze Duration Procedures
Basic Online Reading Effects
A Model of Reading
Summary
Spoken Language and Conversation
The Structure of Conversations
Cognitive Conversational Characteristics
Empirical Effects in Conversation
11. Decisions, Judgments, and Reasoning
Formal Logic and Reasoning
Syllogisms
Conditional Reasoning: If P Then Q
Hypothesis Testing
Decisions
Decisions About Physical Differences
Decisions About Symbolic Differences
Decisions About Geographic Distances
Decisions and Reasoning Under Uncertainty
Algorithms and Heuristics
Heuristics, Biases, and Fallacies
The Representativeness Heuristic
The Availability Heuristics
The Simulation Heuristics
The Undoing Heuristics: Counterfactual Reasoning
Adaptive Thinking and " Fast, Frugal" Heuristics
The Ongoing Debate
Limitations in Reasoning
Limited Domain Knowledge
Limitations in Processing Resources
Appendix: Algorithms for Coin Tosses and Hospital Births
12. Problem Solving
The Status of Problem-Solving Area
Gestalt Psychology and Problem Solving
Early Gestalt Research
Difficulties in Problem Solving
Insight and Analogy
Insight
Analogy
Neurocognition in Analogy and Insight
Basics of Problem Solving
Characteristics of Problem Solving
A Vocabulary of Problem Solving
Means-End Analysis: A Fundamental Heuristic
The Basics of Means-End Analysis
Means-End Analysis and the Tower of Hanoi
General Problem Solver
Adaptive Control of Thought
Improving Your Problem Solving
Increase Your Domain Knowledge
Automate Some Components of the Problem-Solving Solution
Follow a Systematic Plan
Draw Inferences
Develop Subgoals
Work Backward
Search for Contradictions
Search for Relations Among Problems
Find a Different Problem Representation
If All Else Fails, Try Practice
Glossary
References
Photo Credits
Name Index
Subjet Index