The study of human cognitive processes provides insight into why we act or react and can help us predict future behaviors. In Cognition, authors Thomas Farmer and Margaret Matlin present an engaging and highly relatable examination of how these processes work, and how they are responsible for the way we perceive and interpret the world around us. Broad in scope without sacrificing depth of detail, this text emphasizes the link between conceptual cognitive psychology and real-world experience; case studies, current trends, and historical perspectives merge to provide a comprehensive understanding of core principles and theories.
This new Tenth Edition has been updated to reflect the latest research, technology, and thinking, with more in-depth coverage of topics rising to prominence in the field’s current knowledge base. Expanded explanations balance classical and contemporary approaches to specific topics, while additional experiments and an emphasis on methodology and experimental design are included to facilitate a greater appreciation of the field’s rigorous research.
Table of Contents
Preface xv
1 An Introduction to Cognitive Psychology 1
Chapter Introduction 1
What is Cognitive Psychology? 2
Historical Perspective on the Field 4
Origins of Cognitive Psychology 4
Cognitive Revolution 7
Cognitive Psychology in Present Times 8
Mind, Brain, and Behavior 9
Cognitive Science 9
Computer Metaphor of the Mind 10
Cognitive Neuroscience 12
Textbook Overview 15
Chapter Preview 16
Themes in the Book 17
How to Use Your Book Effectively 18
Section Summary Points 21
Chapter Review Questions 21
Keywords 22
Recommended Readings 22
Answer to Demonstration 1.4 22
2 Visual and Auditory Recognition 23
Chapter Introduction 23
Overview of Visual Object Recognition 24
The Visual System 24
Organization in Visual Perception 26
Theories of Visual Object Recognition 27
Top-Down Processing and Visual Object Recognition 30
Bottom-Up versus Top-Down Processing 31
Top-Down Processing and Reading 32
“Smart Mistakes” in Object Recognition 33
Specialized Visual Recognition Processes 36
Neuroscience Research on Face Recognition 36
Applied Research on Face Recognition 37
Speech Perception 39
Characteristics of Speech Perception 40
Theories of Speech Perception 42
Section Summary Points 43
Chapter Review Questions 44
Keywords 45
Recommended Readings 45
3 Attention and Consciousness 46
Chapter Introduction 46
Overview of Attention 47
Divided Attention 47
Selective Attention 48
Eye Movements in Reading 53
Overview of Eye Movements in Reading 53
Selective Attention in Reading 54
Neuroscience of Attention 55
The Orienting Attention Network 56
The Executive Attention Network 56
Theories of Attention 57
Early Theories of Attention 57
Feature-Integration Theory 57
Consciousness 59
Thought Suppression 61
Blindsight 61
Section Summary Points 62
Chapter Review Questions 63
Keywords 64
Recommended Readings 64
4 Working Memory 65
Chapter Introduction 65
Classical Research on Short-Term Memory 66
Short-Term Memory Capacity Limits 67
Atkinson & Shiffrin’s Model of Information Processing 70
The Turn to Working Memory 71
Evidence for Components with Independent Capacities 73
Phonological Loop 74
Visuospatial Sketchpad 76
Central Executive 77
Episodic Buffer 79
Applications of Working Memory 80
Working Memory and Academic Performance 80
Working Memory Abilities in Clinical Populations 80
Section Summary Points 82
Chapter Review Questions 83
Keywords 84
Recommended Readings 84
5 Long-Term Memory 85
Chapter Introduction 85
Overview of Long-Term Memory 86
Encoding in Long-Term Memory 87
Levels of Processing 87
Encoding-Specificity Principle 90
Retrieval in Long-Term Memory 92
Explicit Versus Implicit Memory Tasks 92
Individuals with Amnesia 94
Autobiographical Memory 95
Schemas and Autobiographical Memory 96
Source Monitoring and Reality Monitoring 96
Flashbulb Memories 97
Eyewitness Testimony 99
Special Topics in Long-Term Memory 102
Expertise 102
Emotions and Memory 104
The Recovered-Memory/False-Memory Controversy 107
Section Summary Points 109
Chapter Review Questions 110
Keywords 111
Recommended Readings 111
6 Memory Strategies and Metacognition 112
Chapter Introduction 112
Memory Strategies I: Memory Strategies Informed by Memory Concepts 113
Divided Attention 113
Working Memory 113
Levels of Processing 114
Encoding Specificity 115
Memory Strategies II: Practice and Mnemonics 116
Memory Strategies Emphasizing Practice 116
Mnemonics Using Imagery and Organization 118
Prospective Memory 121
Metamemory 123
Accuracy of Metamemory 124
Metamemory About Factors Affecting Memory Accuracy 126
Metamemory and the Regulation of Study Strategies 126
Tip-of-the-Tongue and Feeling-of-Knowing Effects 127
Metacomprehension 129
Section Summary Points 131
Chapter Review Questions 132
Keywords 132
Recommended Readings 133
Answer to Demonstration 6.4 133
7 Mental Imagery and Cognitive Maps 134
Chapter Introduction 134
Classical Research on Visual Imagery 135
Overview of Mental Imagery 135
Mental Rotation 136
The Imagery Debate 139
Visual Imagery and Ambiguous Figures 140
Factors That Influence Visual Imagery 143
Distance and Shape Effects on Visual Imagery 143
Visual Imagery and Interference 144
Visual Imagery and Other Vision-Like Processes 145
Gender Comparisons in Spatial Ability 145
Auditory Imagery 146
Auditory Imagery and Pitch 147
Auditory Imagery and Timbre 147
Cognitive Maps 148
Distance and Shape Effects on Cognitive Maps 150
Relative Position Effects on Cognitive Maps 152
Creating a Cognitive Map 154
Section Summary Points 155
Chapter Review Questions 156
Keywords 157
Recommended Readings 157
8 General Knowledge 158
Chapter Introduction 158
Background and Approaches to Semantic Memory 159
Background Information 159
The Prototype Approach 161
The Exemplar Approach and Semantic Memory 164
Comparing the Prototsype and Exemplar Approaches 166
Network Models of Semantic Memory 167
Anderson’s ACT-R Approach 167
The Parallel Distributed Processing Approach 169
Schemas and Scripts 172
Background on Schemas and Scripts 173
Schemas and Memory Selection 174
Schemas and Boundary Extension 176
Schemas and Memory Abstraction 178
Schemas and Memory Integration 179
Section Summary Points 184
Chapter Review Questions 184
Keywords 185
Recommended Readings 185
Answer to Demonstration 8.1 186
9 Language I: Introduction to Language and Language Comprehension 187
Chapter Introduction 187
Overview of Psycholinguistics 188
Relevant Terminology and Background on Language 188
A Brief History of Psycholinguistics 190
Chomsky’s Approach 190
Reactions to Chomsky’s Theory 191
On-line Sentence Comprehension 192
Negation and the Passive Voice 192
Lexical and Syntactic Ambiguity 195
Brain and Language 198
General Considerations 198
Aphasia 199
Revisiting Broca’s Area 200
Hemispheric Specialization 201
The Mirror System 203
Reading 203
Comparing Written and Spoken Language 204
Reading Words: Theoretical Approaches 205
Implications for Teaching Reading to Children 206
Discourse Comprehension 207
Forming an Integrated Representation of the Text 208
Drawing Inferences During Reading 209
Teaching Metacomprehension Skills 211
Section Summary Points 212
Chapter Review Questions 213
Keywords 213
Recommended Readings 213
Answer to Demonstration 9.1 214
10 Language II: Language Production and Bilingualism 215
Chapter Introduction 215
Speaking I: Overview of Production Processes 216
Producing a Word 216
Speech Errors 217
Producing a Sentence 218
Producing Discourse 219
Speaking II: Language Production and Naturalistic Communication 219
Using Gestures: Embodied Cognition 219
The Social Context of Language Production 222
Language Production and Writing 225
The Role of Working Memory in Writing 225
Planning a Formal Writing Assignment 226
Sentence Generation during Writing 226
The Revision Phase of Writing 227
Bilingualism 227
Background on Bilingualism 228
The Social Context of Bilingualism 229
Advantages (and Minor Disadvantages) of Bilingualism 230
Proficiency and Second Language Acquisition 231
Second Language Proficiency 232
Vocabulary 232
Phonology 232
Grammar 232
Simultaneous Interpreters 234
Section Summary Points 235
Chapter Review Questions 236
Keywords 236
Recommended Readings 237
11 Problem Solving and Creativity 238
Chapter Introduction 238
Understanding the Problem 239
Methods of Representing the Problem 240
Situated and Embodied Cognition Perspectives on Problem Solving 243
Problem-Solving Strategies 244
The Analogy Approach 245
The Means-Ends Heuristic 246
The Hill-Climbing Heuristic 247
Factors That Influence Problem Solving 248
Expertise 248
Mental Set 249
Functional Fixedness 250
Gender Stereotypes and Math Problem Solving 251
Insight versus Noninsight Problems 253
Creativity 255
The Nature of Creativity 255
Motivation and Creativity 256
Section Summary Points 257
Chapter Review Questions 258
Keywords 259
Recommended Readings 259
Answer to Demonstration 11.3 259
Answer to Demonstration 11.5 259
Answer to Demonstration 11.6B 259
Answer to Demonstration 11.7A 260
Answer to Demonstration 11.7B 260
12 Deductive Reasoning and Decision Making 261
Chapter Introduction 261
Deductive Reasoning 262
Overview of Conditional Reasoning 263
Factors That Cause Difficulty in Reasoning 264
Belief-Bias Effect 265
Confirmation Bias 266
Decision Making I: Overview of Heuristics 268
Representativeness Heuristic 268
Availability Heuristic 272
Anchoring and Adjustment Heuristic 275
Current Status of Heuristics and Decision Making 277
Decision Making II: Applications of Decision Making Research 278
Framing Effect 278
Overconfidence about Decisions 280
Hindsight Bias 282
Decision-Making Style and Psychological Well-Being 283
Section Summary Points 284
Chapter Review Questions 285
Keywords 286
Recommended Readings 286
Answer to Demonstration 12.1 286
Answer to Demonstration 12.6 286
13 Cognitive Development throughout the Lifespan 287
Chapter Introduction 287
The Lifespan Development of Memory 288
Memory in Infants 288
Memory in Children 291
Memory in Elderly People 297
The Lifespan Development of Metamemory 301
Metamemory in Children 301
Metamemory in Elderly People 304
The Development of Language 305
Language in Infants 305
Language in Children 308
Section Summary Points 312
Chapter Review Questions 313
Keywords 313
Recommended Readings 314
Glossary 315
References 333
Index 404
