Cognitive Psychology Assignment: Feature Detectors, Memory Coding, and Working Memory Model

Question 1:

The feature detectors in the visual cortex respond selectively to various components of a visual image, such as orientation of lines, colour, and movement. In the above example, the feature cells that are being measured respond to vertical lines. They fire the most in response to vertical lines, basically not at all for horizontal lines, and very little for diagonal lines.

Source: Wizeprep. (2024).

https://www.wizeprep.com/textbooks/undergrad/psychology/17215/sections/2549199.

Accessed December 9, 2024.

Consider the explanation above and explain how feature detectors in the brain assist with the representation of sensory information and discuss what role feature detectors play in visual perception and cognitive processes. Ensure that you include evidence from both classic and contemporary research on the subject and that you make use of examples in your answer. You need to refer to at least three journal articles in your answer. Your answer may not exceed 3 standard typed pages.

You will be awarded marks as follows:

Insightful discussion of theory around feature detectors and their influence on cognitive processes with reference to classical and contemporary research studies. Inclusion of examples (no marks will be allocated for examples taken from the textbook). (35). Refer to at least three journal articles.

The use of no less than three journal articles. (5)

Question 2 (Marks: 30)

Your friend Lungelo has approached you as she has failed her Cognitive Psychology exam despite putting huge effort into her studies. You have asked her what methods she uses to studies and she tells you that when studying she makes mind maps of important concepts, she listens to recorded lectures, she makes summaries of some content and repeats the summaries out loud and she also tries to ensure that she combines information into meaningful categories based on

its meaning. Despite all these efforts, she still failed, and she has asked you for advice on how she can use different types of coding to improve her memory in the future.

Using the scenario above, explain the roles of visual, auditory, and semantic coding in memory. In your answer, explain how each type of coding influences encoding, storage, and retrieval processes in memory. Support your discussion with relevant research and practical examples of how she can improve her coding strategies in the future. Ensure you use at least three (3) journal articles. Your discussion may not exceed 3 standard typed pages.

You will be awarded marks as follows:

• The use of least three journal articles. (5)

Discussion of types of coding and how it influences storage and retrieval processes in memory. Provide examples of how she can improve her coding strategies in the future. (25).

Question 3

During a recent team meeting, Simphie, who is a project manager at a construction company, had to listen to the client’s ideas, take notes, and simultaneously consider how to include all of this into the project timeline. He found it challenging to keep track of all the information that was discussed, and he forgot a few key points when he adjusted the project timeline.

Write an academic essay in which you discuss the working memory model and explain how the different components interact and influence his performance. Your discussion may not exceed 3 standard typed pages. You need to consult at least three (3) journal articles. Ensure that you address the following:

Discuss the key components of the model and their respective functions.

Apply this model to Simphiwe’s situation and indicate how each component played a role in his challenges. Also suggest ways in which he can manage his cognitive load in the future with reference to the model.

You will be awarded marks as follows:

• Use of at least three (3) journal articles. (5).
• Explanation of the working memory model and the functions of the different components (10).
• Discussion of how these apply to Simphiwe’s situation and how each element played a role in his challenges. Suggestions on how to manage his cognitive load in the future (15).

[TOTAL MARKS: 100]

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Psychology Assignment Answers: Expert Answers on Above Psychology Questions

Feature detectors in visual perception

Feature detectors are defined as the specialized neurons that are visible in the visual cortex, and their response to specific visual stimuli such as movement, ashes or orientation. They are quite effective in allowing the brain to decompose complex images into basic elements. This implies that feature detectors play an important role in early sensory processing, and thereby playing an important role in cognitive tasks such as pattern recognition, attention and memory.

Coding and memory

The core ingredients of memory include visual, auditory and semantic coding. Visual coding is useful in keeping an image or mental picture, and auditory coding makes use of sound patterns while semantic coding encodes meaning. In the given scenario, improvement in the memory can be possible if Lungelo integrates dual coding such as visual and verbal, and also makes use of rehearsal strategies to improve the retrieval.

Working memory model and Simphiwe’s case

The working memory model comprises Central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and episode buffer. In case of Simphiwe, multitasking overloaded his Central executive, and the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad were heavily taxed, which leads to memory lapses. The management of cognitive load can be possible by using external aids and practice chunking information to optimise working memory capacity.

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