Unit 2: Core Cognitive Systems

Description: This unit explores the fundamental systems that enable human information processing and communication. We examine how attention serves as a gateway between perception and memory, investigate different memory systems and their reliability, explore individual differences in cognitive abilities, and analyze how language enables complex thought and communication. Through understanding these core cognitive systems, we gain insight into both normal cognitive functioning and the challenges that can arise when these systems are impaired or disrupted.

 Why This Unit is Important: Understanding these core cognitive systems is fundamental to counseling practice. Therapists use this knowledge to help clients with attention-related disorders, process traumatic memories while understanding memory’s limitations, recognize cognitive strengths and challenges, and work effectively with language-related issues. This knowledge is crucial for addressing attention deficits, memory distortions, learning disabilities, and communication barriers in therapy. Beyond counseling, these principles guide educational practices, inform legal testimony evaluation, and help organizations understand individual differences in cognitive capabilities. This knowledge helps you understand how people process, store, and communicate information in any context.

Unit Learning Objectives: By the end of this unit students will be able to…

• ULO1: Describe attention theories and analyze how attention connects perception to memory. (CLO1, CLO2, APA1, APA2)
• ULO2: Apply the Atkinson-Shiffrin model and evaluate different memory systems. (CLO1, CLO2, APA1, APA2)
• ULO3: Appraise what it means when someone says “I forgot” and analyze factors affecting memory distortion. (CLO2, CLO4, APA2, APA4)
• ULO4: Debate the different ways that someone can be “smart” and evaluate intelligence testing approaches. (CLO2, CLO4, APA2, APA4)

• ULO5: Differentiate communication and language and analyze evolutionary advantages of human language. (CLO1, CLO2, APA1, APA2)