Cognitive Psychology: Introduction

Cognitive Psychology: Introduction

• Cognitive psychology investigates mental processes like perception, memory, language, problem-solving, and decision-making, focusing on how individuals acquire, process, and retrieve information.
• Evolved from behaviorism, which concentrated solely on observable behaviors. The field emerged in the mid-20th century recognizing the mind's critical role.
• Key historical figures include Wilhelm Wundt who established the first psychology lab, and William James who explored attention and consciousness. Behaviorism, founded by John B. Watson, rejected introspection, focusing on observable behaviors.
• Influential figures in the cognitive revolution, like Noam Chomsky, critiqued behaviorism's explanation of language acquisition, while Herbert Simon and Allen Newell contributed to artificial intelligence.
• The cognitive revolution emphasized internal mental processes, driven by advances in computer science & AI, modeling the mind as an information-processing system.

Information Processing Approach

• Compares the mind to a computer by emphasizing sequential stages in information processing (input, processing, storage, output).
• Uses models to illustrate information flow, including:
  • Structural models depicting brain structures and connections.
  • Process models illustrating stages of cognition, such as the Atkinson-Shiffrin model of memory (sensory, short-term, long-term).

Methods and Applications

• Employs the scientific method to test mental processes through experiments, alongside case studies, naturalistic observation, and computer simulations.
• Studies cognition through both behavioral methods (e.g., reaction times) and physiological methods (e.g., fMRI, EEG).
• Has practical applications in various fields: education, human-computer interaction, and clinical psychology to understand cognitive dysfunctions.

Cognition and the Brain

• Cognitive neuroscience links cognitive psychology with neuroscience, studying brain activity related to cognition.
• Different brain areas are specialized for various cognitive functions.

Key Concepts and Terms

• Cognition encompasses all mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge, including perception, memory, language, and problem-solving.
• Behaviorism contrasts with cognitive psychology by focusing on observable rather than internal mental processes.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) contributes to understanding human cognition by mimicking human thinking tasks.
• Interconnection between brain structures and functions is essential to understand how human behavior correlates with the brain's activity.
• Cognition is measured indirectly using observable behaviors such as response times, accuracy, and self-reports within controlled experiments.

This quiz explores the foundations of cognitive psychology, focusing on mental processes such as perception, memory, and decision-making. It delves into the historical context, contrasting cognitive approaches with behaviorism and highlighting influential figures and their contributions to the field. Assess your understanding of the cognitive revolution and its impact on psychology.