Cognitive Psychology Overview

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary focus of Wundt’s laboratory established in 1879?

Analysis of behavioral responses to stimuli

Quantifying memory retention times

Development of classical conditioning methods

Breaking experiences into basic elements (correct)

Which experiment quantified memory retention using the concept of 'savings'?

Skinner’s operant conditioning experiment

Ebbinghaus’ memory experiment (correct)

Tolman’s cognitive map experiment

Donder's reaction time experiment

What concept was primarily challenged by Tolman’s cognitive map findings in 1948?

The effectiveness of reinforcements in shaping behavior

The physiological basis of mental processes

The idea that learning could happen without observable behavior (correct)

The validity of introspection as a methodology

Who introduced the term 'Cognitive Psychology' in a significant publication in 1967?

Neisser Signup and view all the answers

What was the main criticism Watson had towards introspection as a method?

It lacked objectivity and was subjective Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the contribution of digital computers to cognitive psychology during the cognitive revolution?

They inspired stage-based information processing models Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant challenge in modern cognitive psychology mentioned in the content?

The invisibility of mental processes requiring inference Signup and view all the answers

What was the main aspect studied in Donder’s reaction time experiment?

Choice reaction times versus simple reaction times Signup and view all the answers

Which theorist argued that operant conditioning could not adequately explain language acquisition?

Chomsky Signup and view all the answers

What was a key focus of the cognitive revolution in the 1950s and 1960s?

Mimicking human thought through artificial intelligence Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of cognitive psychology explored through cognitive maps in Tolman's research?

Internal representations of environment Signup and view all the answers

Which event in the history of cognitive psychology marked a shift away from behaviourism?

Tolman’s formulation of cognitive maps Signup and view all the answers

The concept of 'savings' in Ebbinghaus' memory experiments primarily refers to what?

The difference in recall ability before and after learning Signup and view all the answers

What significant critique of behaviourism was advanced following the cognitive revolution in the 1960s?

The inability to explain language learning through conditioning Signup and view all the answers

Which method is crucial in modern cognitive psychology for understanding brain processes?

Neuroscientific techniques involving brain activity Signup and view all the answers

What approach in cognitive psychology emphasizes measuring reaction times and accuracy?

Behavioural experiments Signup and view all the answers

Which figure in cognitive psychology argued for the existence of innate mental structures?

Noam Chomsky Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does cognitive psychology face regarding mental processes?

The visibility of mental processes in behaviour Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary focus of structuralism as introduced by Wundt?

Breaking experiences into their most basic elements Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cognitive Psychology: A Historical Overview

Cognitive psychology investigates mental processes like perception, memory, attention, language, reasoning, and decision-making.
Cognition involves internal processes—thoughts, beliefs, and internal representations—to interpret the environment.

Early Work

Donder's Reaction Time Experiment (1868): Measured decision-making time by comparing simple and choice reaction times. Calculating the difference yields decision-making time.
Wundt's Laboratory (1879): Founded the first psychology lab, pioneered analytic introspection; focused on breaking down mental experiences into basic elements (structuralism).
Ebbinghaus' Memory Experiment (1885): Examined forgetting by learning nonsense syllables and testing recall at various intervals. Quantified retention via "savings."

Abandoning Mental Processes: The Rise of Behaviorism

Watson's Behaviorism (1913): Criticized introspection for its subjectivity, advocating for a focus on observable behaviors; introduced classical conditioning.
Skinner's Operant Conditioning (1938): Proposed that behaviors are shaped by reinforcement (positive or negative).

The Cognitive Revolution

Tolman's Cognitive Map (1948): Demonstrated rats forming mental representations of mazes, contradicting behaviorist predictions.
Digital Computers (1950s-1960s): Inspired stage-based information processing models simulating cognitive processes.
Artificial Intelligence (1950s-1960s): Explored simulating human thought using computer algorithms.
Chomsky’s Language Critique (1950s-1960s): Contended that operant conditioning couldn't explain language acquisition, proposing innate mental structures.
Neisser's Influence (1967): Coined "cognitive psychology," unifying studies on perception, memory, and problem-solving using the information-processing approach.

Modern Research Approaches

Behavioral Experiments: Measures behavior (reaction times, accuracy, eye movements).
Neuroscientific Methods: Investigates brain activity, damage, and neural recordings.
Computational Modeling: Designs artificial neural networks to simulate brain processes.

Challenges

Mental processes are invisible; inferences are based on observable behaviors and brain activity.

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Description

Explore the historical development of cognitive psychology, focusing on key experiments and theories that shaped the field. This quiz covers significant contributions from pioneers like Donder, Wundt, and Ebbinghaus. Test your understanding of the evolution from cognitive processes to behaviorism.