Cognitive Psychology

1. Core Concepts in Cognitive Psychology
   1. Mental processes
      1. Perception
         1. Sensory processing
            1. Role of sensory organs in perception
            2. Processing of sensory input by the brain
            3. Integration of sensory information
         2. Pattern recognition
            1. Template matching theory
            2. Feature analysis theory
            3. Prototype theory
            4. Role of experience and learning in pattern recognition
         3. Attention
            1. Selective attention
            2. Divided attention
            3. Sustained attention
            4. Theories of attention
               1. Filter theory
               2. Attenuation theory
               3. Capacity models
            5. Role of attentional control in cognitive tasks
      2. Memory
         1. Short-term memory
            1. Characteristics and limitations
            2. Chunking and its impact on memory capacity
            3. Role in working memory
         2. Long-term memory
            1. Explicit memory
               1. Semantic memory
               2. Episodic memory
            2. Implicit memory
               1. Procedural memory
               2. Priming
            3. Encoding and storage processes
            4. Factors influencing long-term memory retention
         3. Working memory
            1. Components: phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, central executive
            2. Role in cognitive tasks and mental manipulation
            3. Theories and models (e.g., Baddeley's model)
         4. Memory retrieval
            1. Retrieval cues and context-dependent memory
            2. Role of reconstruction and errors in memory
            3. Models of retrieval processes
      3. Thought and reasoning
         1. Deductive reasoning
            1. Logical structures and syllogisms
            2. Common fallacies and errors in deduction
         2. Inductive reasoning
            1. Formation of generalizations from specific instances
            2. Role of probability and uncertainty
         3. Problem-solving strategies
            1. Algorithmic approaches
            2. Heuristic methods
            3. Role of insight and creativity
            4. Barriers to effective problem-solving (e.g., functional fixedness)
      4. Decision-making
         1. Heuristics and biases
            1. Availability heuristic
            2. Representativeness heuristic
            3. Anchoring effect
            4. Impact of cognitive biases on decision-making
         2. Risk assessment
            1. Evaluation of potential outcomes and probabilities
            2. Role of emotions and affective forecasting in risk perception
         3. Decision-making models
            1. Rational choice theory
            2. Bounded rationality and satisficing
            3. Dual-process theories (e.g., System 1 vs. System 2)
      5. Language
         1. Language acquisition
            1. Critical periods in language learning
            2. Role of nature vs. nurture
            3. Theories of language development (e.g., Chomsky's theory)
         2. Language processing
            1. Phonological processing
            2. Semantic processing
            3. Syntactic processing
            4. Role of context in language comprehension
         3. Linguistic relativity
            1. Influence of language on thought and perception
            2. Cross-cultural comparisons and research
   2. Information processing models
      1. Serial processing
         1. Characteristics of serial processing
         2. Examples and applications in cognitive tasks
      2. Parallel processing
         1. Nature and advantages of parallel processing
         2. Role in visual and auditory information processing
      3. Connectionist models
         1. Basics of neural networks and parallel distributed processing
         2. Implications for cognitive processes and learning
         3. Comparison with traditional cognitive theories