01:830:333 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Cognitive Development, Limbic System, Homo Economicus

• School: Rutgers University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: 01:830:333
• Professor: E.Mayhew

Document Summary

Lecture 9 - cognitive changes, brain changes, effects. Theoretical perspectives on cognitive changes: piagetian view of development of thinking. Each stage is characterized by a particular type of thought: cognitive-developmental view. Interaction between biological change and environmental stimulation leads to intellectual growth. Each stage is characterized by a particular type of thought. Adolescent development 9-2: growth of formal-operational thinking (all the changes in thinking mentioned earlier, ability to reason logically without concrete supports. What causes the cognitive changes? (1) selective attention and divided attention (2) working memory and long-term memory (3) processing speed (automaticity) (4) executive function & strategy-use. Areas of the brain with changes in adolescence: the prefrontal cortex. Prefrontal cortex: changes in the prefrontal cortex (pfc) improve efficiency of info-processing: Limbic system: changes in levels of neurotransmitters in limbic system. Higher reward levels needed for equivalent reward-feeling. Seek novelty, reward, stimulation: prefrontal cortex matures several years later.