NOTES (problem solving)
NOTES (language)

General overview of Linguistics - What is linguistics about? Also includes a brief history and some web links
A nice page on problem solving

Chapter 7 - Cognition and Language. NOTE: Make sure that you reword this information in YOUR words. If you just copy word for word from the book or links, the assignment will not count. In addition, if you can't find the material on the web site, try using your book.

EXERCISE 1 - Mental Imagery. Use both websites.
Improving in sports using mental imagery
Overview of mental imagery
1. What is mental imagery? What areas have been shown to be improved by mental imagery?
2. What are the theories behind why mental imagery can improve performance?
3. How can you make it as effective as possible?

EXERCISE 2 - Improving your Creativity or Problem Solving abilities.
Mind Tools is a website devoted to that. Choose Practical Creativity, Problem Solving, Decision Making or Project Planning and describe the different ways to improve your creative, problem solving, decision making, or project planning abilities. These are lengthy (there are a number of pages that you need to look through). Just briefly summarize each page.

EXERCISE 3 – Animals and Language
Animal Language Studies
Parrot studies - Dr. Pepperdine's work with Alex the African Grey parrot
Kanzi (and links to other apes) from Dr. Savage-Rumbaugh's labe
1. Describe what some of these animals can do that would make people believe they have language.
2. What is the evidence for animal language? Evidence against? You can find a good article on this here. Or try this site.
3. What is your opinion on animal language? Do you think that these animals are communicating the same way as humans? Do they understand what they are saying?

EXERCISE 4 - How long does it take to think? Measure your reaction times.
1. Using this site, what are 4 different factors that influence RT (make sure to briefly describe what happens in each).
2. Do the 4 RT studies here (look under make your own observations). What did you have to do for each one? What was your RT for each one - in other words, what did increase thinking do?