Cognition
The information we store in our long term memory about our environment and how it works makes up our knowledge base. Thinking is the use of knowledge to achieve a goal, eg perceiving the environment, or communicating, or problem solving. We store knowledge in the form of a mental representation, which is a memory of details or events or people or objects not currently present. There are two categories of mental representations - those dealing with sensory aspects (sight smell and taste) and the meaning of an object (names, definitions, properties).
Visual Images
They may have the spatial properties of the real stimulus. Our mental representations of visual images are mental pictures, copies of the real stimulus. However, they cannot be manipulated in the way we manipulate real objects. They are also influenced by our verbal interpretation of the object. Cognitive maps are our mental representations for georgraphical information. They are not an exact visual image, but an approximation, along with the general knowledge we know about the geography. Mental representations of visual stimuli usually relies on both the visual image and the verbal knowledge we possess. It shows how memory is constructive in nature, and may sometimes lead to inaccuracies.
Concepts
Our knowledge in the LTM is organized. mental representations that are related are stored in the same category, based on their similarity. This shows the conceptual nature of human cognition. These mental categories, or concepts, are organized according to the meaning of the information. Conceptual information in stored semantically, and this conceptual organization makes the use of knowledge more efficient. This kind of "mental shorthand" saves space and organizes our cognitive system, when only the general idea or concept is stored.
Organized into hierarchical categories, there are three levels.
Superordinate - stores broad and general concepts.
Basic level - This is the level we use most often in daily life.
Subordinate - contains less general and more specific information.
Acquiring Concepts
Formal concepts are concepts with rigid rules of definition, rules that are clear cut. However, not everything can be categorized neatly. A less distinct and orderly organization can be based on personal experience. Natural concepts develop naturally, and are concepts we intuit and create ourselves. The boundaries aren't so clear cut, and are the product of our every day experience. It is hard for people to acquire new concepts. Prototypes are formed for natural concept categories and they are our concept of the most typical member of the category. To judge if an object belongs to a category, we compare it to the prototype. The degree of similarity to the prototype determines its membership. An exemplar is an actual item already in the category that we use to compare objects with, to determine its membership.
PROBLEM SOLVING
1) Identify Problem
Zombies are attacking the house.
2) Represent problem (define it)
If they enter the house and bite you, you'll become a zombie too.
3) Plan a solution
Shoot the undead daylights out of them.
4) Execute plan
Grab a shotgun, load it, and fire.
5) Evaluate plan
The gunfire drives them back temporarily, but will they return?
6) Evaluate solution
Gunshot doesn't stop them unless you headshot. A flamethrower has better chances of destroying the brain.