Unit 6 Cognitive Process
Unit 6 Cognitive Process
Types Of Attention: Attention is the first process for beginning the other
cognitive process. The types of attention depend upon the need and
circumstances of an individual.
1. Sustained Attention: It is the ability to focus on one specific task for long
time without being distracted. For example, listening a lecture, reading a
book, playing a video.
2. Selective Attention: It is the ability to focus on only one aspect of the
environment while ignoring other aspects. For example, in a loud party
focusing on one person’s voice.
3. Alternating Attention: It is the ability to focus back and forth between
tasks that require different cognitive demands. For example, when
reading a recipe for making dessert and the performing task to prepare
that recipe.
4. Divided Attention: It is the ability to process or to focus on two or more
different tasks simultaneously. It is also known as multitasking. For
example, checking email while listening in a meeting, talking with friends
while making dinner.
Proximity: Stimuli that are close to each other at a certain place and
time get organized in a unit in perception.
Similarity: This law states that those stimuli which are similar to each
other get organized as a unit in perception. These stimuli can be based
on any dimension like, color, brightness and quality.
Closure: It is nature of human perception that it tends to perceive things
in a complete form. Any incomplete in form is filled to perceive a
complete form.
Symmetry: It states that elements that are symmetrical to each other
tend to be perceived as a unified group. Similar to the law of similarity,
this rule suggests that objects that are symmetrical with each other will
be more likely to be grouped together than objects not symmetrical with
each other.
Inclusion: According to this any figure or form is not perceived in parts
but that parts are organized in perception best possible whole form. For
example, two inverted triangles are perceived as a star shape.
Common Fate: it is applicable for moving stimuli. If some stimuli are
moving in one direction are perceived as unit in perception. For
example, trees titled in one direction because of speed of blowing wind
are perceived as one in perception.
Figure And Background: whole environment around us can be divided
into many figures but all the figures cannot be perceived at the same
time in perception. When attention is focused one figure, then rest of
the environment becomes background. When focus changed to other
figure then figure earlier in focus will go into background.
Continuity: The law of good continuation states that when connected
points result in smoothly curving lines, the lines tend to be viewed in a
way that follows the smoothest pathway.
Past Experience: A familiar pattern stands out more easily as an
organized unit than miscellaneous. Past experience is the strongest
factors of perception.
Factors Affecting Perception 1,2,3:
Intelligence: Meaning Of Intelligence, Effect Of Heredity
And Environment In Intelligence, Classification, Introduction
To Measurements Of Intelligence Tests- Mental Deficiencies
Meaning of Intelligence: intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply
knowledge. Success in school, college and profession, social adjustment,
possession of general information etc. is all associated with the concept of
‘Intelligence’. The word intelligence is derived from the Latin verb ‘intellegere’
which means understanding. In simple words, intelligence is the ability to
adapt to and to learn from life’s everyday experiences.
Researchers have found that parents with high IQs tend to have children with
high IQs, and parents with low IQs have children with relatively low IQs.
Correlation between IQs of brothers, sisters, children and their parents, and
their distant relatives indicate that intelligence has a strong heredity
component.
Types of Intelligence Test: Basically it can be divided into three main types
which is (1) Verbal Test, (2) Non Verbal Test and (3) Performance Test.
(1) Verbal Test: These tests are requires the use of language. The
instructions are given verbally and the individuals are required to use
language. Therefore, verbal tests are only applicable to literate person. It
is also called as paper-pencil test as the examinee has to write on a piece
of paper while answering the test items. Example of Verbal tests are:
Stanford Binet Test for Intelligence, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
(WAIS), Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children (WISC), Wechsler
Preschool & Primary Scale Of Intelligence (WPPSI).
(2) Non Verbal Test: In non verbal test, the content and response do not
require the use of language. Non verbal test are those that emphasize
material like pictures, figures, etc. such test use the language in
instruction but test items don’t use language. Example of Non Verbal
Test is Bhatia’s Performance Test of Intelligence was developed by CM
Bhatia in 1955. This test consists of 5 subtests: Block Design Test,
Alexander Pass Along Test, Pattern Drawing Test, Immediate Memory
Test, Picture Construction Test. It is applicable to use for age 11 years
and above. It should not be used on mentally retarded persons.
(3) Performance Test: performance test are those that require the
examinee to perform a task rather than answer some questions. Such
test prohibits the use of language in items. Occasionally, oral language is
used to give instructions, or the instructions may also be given through
gestures and pantomime. Different kinds of performance test are
available like assemble a puzzle, place pictures in a correct sequence;
point out to a missing part of a picture, etc.
Mental Deficiencies (Mental Retardation)4,5,6,7,8:
Learning: Definition Of Learning, Types Of Learning, Factors
Influencing Learning, Learning Process, Habit Formation:
Definition Of Learning: Learning is a process of developing new methods or
techniques to deal with the one’s problems – Boaz. Learning is the
modification of behaviour through experiences – Gates, 1985.
On The Basis Of Method Used For Learning: It can be divided in to four parts
namely, Trial and error theory of learning, Theory of conditioned reflexes,
Social theory of learning, Cognitive Theory of learning (See page no. 59, Fig. 4
theories of learning).
Habit Formation9:
Memory: Meaning And Nature Of Memory, Factors
Influencing Memory, Methods To Improve Memory,
Forgetting:
Meaning Of Memory: Humans have been pre occupied to store and process
information for a very long time. The memory of each person defines him/her.
Loosing memory is like losing past and future and living in a continual present.
Learning is very important in our day to day life, without it we cannot move
forward to perform task. Whatever we have learnt, it must remain in our mind,
stored up somehow, to be used when the need arises. Memory is the process
of remembering objects of past experiences.
Factors Influencing Memory: Following are the areas which can influence
memory namely, Ability to learn, Good health, Age of the learner, Maturity,
Will to remember, Intelligence, Interest, Over learning, Speed of learning,
Meaningfulness of the material, Sleep or rest.
Methods to Improve Memory: There are several methods by which an
individual can improve his retention power and an ability to recall past
experiences whenever needed. Some of these are as follows:
Focus attention on material.
Follow the principle of association.
Avoid cramming.
Use correlation or relate new information to things you already know.
Pay extra attention to difficult material.
Make time for meditation.
Get enough sleep.
Take rest in between to remove fatigue and monotony.
Exercise daily and include physical activity in daily routine.
Avoid to use alcohol.
Stay mentally active.
Manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes,
hypothyroidism, obesity etc early.
Eat a healthy and well balanced diet.
Stay organized.
Be socialize.
Maintain body weight in normal ranges.
Manage stress.
Enjoy nature.
Utilize mnemonic devices.
Drink adequate water.
Eat food items in less amount like: fried foods, salt, sugar, processed
foods.
Eat food items in adequate amount like: whole grains, nuts, olive oil,
fatty fish(if you are vegetarian), green leafy vegetable, legumes, chicken
or turkey ( if you are non vegetarian)
Problem Solving: It is a tool, skill and process. It is a tool because it can help
you to solve an immediate problem or to achieve a goal. It is a skill because
once you have learnt it you can use it repeatedly, e.g., the ability to ride a
bicycle. It is also a process because it involves taking a number of strategies.
There are basically three methods to solve problem which is discussed below:
Logical Aptitude: This enables a person to analyse his tasks and helps
him in obtaining logical solutions to problems. Thus it helps in arriving at
fact based conclusions.
Spatial Aptitude: It is closely tied to artistic abilities. It permits the
person to understand the spatial connection between objects. It helps
the problem solver/thinker in creating or imagining 3D model
effortlessly.
Manual Aptitude: This type of aptitude indicates motor skills needed for
doing semi skilled jobs.
Mechanical Aptitude: It helps the person in understanding and solving
problems involving mechanical relationships and arrangements. In other
words we can say that it helps a person in understanding how various
parts of a machine functions in combination.
Linguistic Aptitude: It helps a person in learning languages easily and
effectively.
Physical Aptitude: It indicates natural physical capabilities such as
speed, strength etc.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Aptitude(STEM): The person
with this aptitude have ability to understand mathematics, biology,
physics, chemistry and other science subjects well.