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March 31, 2015

Resting Membrane Potention the difference in charge between


the inside and the outside of the neuron at rest (-70 milivolts mV)

Electrical Signal the change in the charge of volts Action


Potential
Threshold stimulation The minimum stimulation required to
generate an action potential (15 mV)
The threshold stimulation causes sodium ion channels to open
When sodium ions up, the sodium ions go in

All-or-none Law
The principle that either a neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an
action potential occurs or a neuron is not sufficiently stimulated
and an action potential does not occur.
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Structures of Synapses
Axon Terminal
Synaptic vesicles
Neurotransmitters
Synaptic Gap (cleft)
Postsynaptic Receptors
Excitatory Post Synaptic Potential (makes inside of neuron less
negative) (brings axon of neuron closer to threshold)
Inhibitory Post Synaptic Potential (Cl entering makes inside of
neoron more negative and brings neuron farther away from
threshold)

Thinking
Thinking, or cognition, refers to a process that involves knowing,
understanding, remembering, and communicating

Cognitive Psychoogists
Thinking involves a number of mental activities

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Concepts (the mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or


people. There are a variety of chairs, but their common features
define the concept of a chair)
Definition Approach (uncommon)
Prototype Approach (most commonly used way) A prototype is an
ideal example of a particular category
Development of Concepts we form some concepts with
definitions. For example, a triangle as three sides. Mostly, we form
concepts with mental images or typical examples (prototype). For
example, a robin is a prototpe of a bird, but a penguin is not.
Problem solving
Decision making
Judgement formation

March 31, 2015

Resting Membrane Potention the difference in charge between


the inside and the outside of the neuron at rest (-70 milivolts mV)

Electrical Signal the change in the charge of volts Action


Potential
Threshold stimulation The minimum stimulation required to
generate an action potential (15 mV)
The threshold stimulation causes sodium ion channels to open
When sodium ions up, the sodium ions go in

All-or-none Law
The principle that either a neuron is sufficiently stimulated and an
action potential occurs or a neuron is not sufficiently stimulated
and an action potential does not occur.

1
1
2
1
1

Structures of Synapses
Axon Terminal
Synaptic vesicles
Neurotransmitters
Synaptic Gap (cleft)
Postsynaptic Receptors
Excitatory Post Synaptic Potential (makes inside of neuron less
negative) (brings axon of neuron closer to threshold)
Inhibitory Post Synaptic Potential (Cl entering makes inside of
neoron more negative and brings neuron farther away from
threshold)

Thinking
Thinking, or cognition, refers to a process that involves knowing,
understanding, remembering, and communicating
Cognitive Psychoogists
Thinking involves a number of mental activities

Concepts (the mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or


people. There are a variety of chairs, but their common features
define the concept of a chair)
Definition Approach (uncommon)
Prototype Approach (most commonly used way) A prototype is an
ideal example of a particular category
Development of Concepts we form some concepts with
definitions. For example, a triangle as three sides. Mostly, we form
concepts with mental images or typical examples (prototype). For
example, a robin is a prototype of a bird, but a penguin is not.
Problem solving
Trial and Error-A problem-solving strategy that

involves attempting different solutions and


eliminating those that do not work.
Algorithms-A problem-solving strategy that
involves following a specific rule, procedure, or
method that inevitably produces the correct
solution.
Heuristics-A problem-solving strategy that
involves following a general rule of thumb to
reduce the number of possibly solutions.
Investigating a subset of the possibilities;
efficient. No guarantee the subset holds answer.
Insight- Light bulb moment, when the answer
comes to you.
Representative Heuristics-We assume the instances will resemble
the prototype.
Availability-Estimate likelihood of events based on availability and
memory. We are more likely to remember uncommon things than
common things.
Confirmation Bias-A tendency to search for information that
confirms a personal bias or preexisting ideas.
We are more likely to remember information that confirms our
ideas.
We are much less likely to remember things that do not fit out
preconceptions.
Fixation-An inability to see a problem from a fresh perspective.
This impedes problem solving. An example of fixation is
functional fixedness.
Nine circle problem
Connect all nine circles with four straight lines, cant pick up the
pen or retrace lines.

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Decision making
Judgment formation

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