Cognition: From Memory to Creativity

From memory to creativity a complete and current presentation of the field of cognition

The process of cognition allows us to function in life; it translates inputs from the world so we can recognize the sound of the alarm clock, remember the day of the week, and decide which clothes to wear.

Cognition: From Memory to Creativity provides readers with a clear, research–based, and well–illustrated presentation of the field, starting with memory the most accessible starting point to more complex functions and research in information processing. Authors Robert Weisberg and Lauretta Reeves include the newest neurological findings that help us understand the human processes that allow for cognition.

Unique in its organization, Cognition incorporates both classical and modern research and provides demonstration experiments for students to conduct with simple materials.

Cognition explores:

Models of memory and memory systems Encoding and retrieval Forgetting vs. false memory Visual cognition Attention and imagery Sounds, words, and meaning Logical thinking and decision making Problem solving and creative thinking

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to the Study of Cognition 1

CHAPTER 2 Memory I: Models of Memory and Memory Systems 45

CHAPTER 3 Memory II: Encoding and Retrieval 95

CHAPTER 4 Memory III: Errors of Omission (Forgetting) and Commission (False Memory) 139

CHAPTER 5 Visual Cognition: Pattern Recognition and Spatial Localization 181

CHAPTER 6 Attention 243

CHAPTER 7 Imagery 289

CHAPTER 8 Concepts and Categories 333

CHAPTER 9 Language I: Sounds, Words, and Meanings 379

CHAPTER 10 Language II: Sentence Processing 423

CHAPTER 11 Thinking I: Logical Thinking and Decision Making 467

CHAPTER 12 Thinking II: Problem Solving 515

CHAPTER 13 Thinking III: Creative Thinking 563

References 607

Author Index 685

Subject Index 705

ROBERT W. WEISBERG, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Brain, Behavior, and Cognition Cluster in the Psychology Department at Temple University. A cognitive psychologist, Dr. Weisberg′s area of interest is creative thinking, the cognitive processes involved in the intentional production of novelty: solutions to problems, works of art, scientific theories, and inventions.

LAURETTA M. REEVES, PhD, teaches at The University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests span both cognitive psychology including the development of expertise in mathematical problem solving, use of metaphor in literature, and cognitive development and the lexical acquisition and role of animacy in categorical inference in children.