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Introduction To Cognitive Psychology - )

My own notes on cognitive psychology in simple sorted crisp language

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Aishwarya
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7 views

Introduction To Cognitive Psychology - )

My own notes on cognitive psychology in simple sorted crisp language

Uploaded by

Aishwarya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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◇ Cognitive Psychology

• study of internal mental processes


• includes TLRP (thi, lea,, rem, per)
-> Think & learn: way we process the info, solve problem & make decision
-> Remember: way we store & retrieve the info
-> Perceive: way our brain & sense works together to make sense.
• Ulric Neisser father of CP

□ Scope of Cognitive Psychology


1. Memory: remember the info. (brains personal storage system)
2. Perception: understand the world (bird looks like, song sounds like)
3. Attention: Focus on certain & ignore others (Brain's spotlight)
4. Consciousness: Awareness of yourself & world around you (main control centre)
5. Representation of Knowledge: organisation & storage of info in mind (library)
6. Cognitive Development: The way our brain grows & changes over time (system update)
7. Language: way we learn & use the language (communication)
8. Reasoning & prob solving: way we think logically & solve problem (problem solving skills)
9. Decision Making: refers to the way our brain chooses different options. (eg: weighing
pros & cons of particular decision)

◇ Cognitive Revolution
Paradigm shift in the field of psychology in mid 1950s, department from Behaviorism
Following are the anecdotes of cognitive revolution

1. World War II
-> became imp to understand human cognition in order to design war equipment while
considering strength & weakness.

2. Information Processing App.


-> Human mind = Computer
-> limited capacity like computer (can't process everything altogether, same with us)
-> e.g: watching this lecture & playing a video game

3. George Miller's 1956 article


-> Magical number 7 ± 2 (around 5-9)
-> Information processing limits were showed, humans have limited capacity for
processing.

4. Noam Chomsky LAD


-> According to Behaviorist, language is learnt through reinforcement
-> but humans have innate ability to learn language
-> Led to sparkling debate of nature vs nurture

5. Brain Localisation
-> specific brain region responsible associated with specific cognitive function
-> Led to better understanding of how the brain works & how it can be affected by
injury or disease
-> paved the way for neuropsychology, focuses on relationship between brain & behaviour

6. Neuroscience Advancement
-> Donald Hebb's work on neural network helped to understand how brain learns & form
association
-> David Hubel & Torsten wiesel's research on visual cortex identified specialised cells
for specific features in visual stimuli.

7. Alan Turing AI
-> article work on computing machinery & intelligence laid the foundation field for AI
-> inspired the development of computer models to simulate human cognition
-> development of computational Neuroscience uses computer simulations to study brain
function

8. Computer cognition
-> computers were used to build model human cognition
-> helped in development of theories about how the mind processes information

9. Howard Gardner's Theory


-> his theory challenged traditional view of intelligence proposing that there are multiple
types including musical, spatial, & interpersonal
-> Beyond IQ, emphasised the importance of diverse Cognitive abilities
-> shift towards understanding mind as active processor of information

◇ Research Methods

1. Experiments
-> independent variables are manipulated to observe effect on dependent one
-> Done to establish cause & effect relationship by isolating specific factors affecting cognitive
processes
-> between subjects (diff conditions), within subjects(same condition.)
-> pro: high control over variables
cons: may lack ecolog. validity

2. Quasi Experiments
-> groups are assigned on the basis of their characteristics & not randomly (like gender or age)
-> to explore the relationship (adhd & age)
-> Nonequivalent group design(diff group for same study, diff age)
-> Pretest & Posttest design: measure pre & post
-> pros: practical, cons: not control, hence confounding

3. Naturalistic Observation
->observing people's behaviour in natural setting (no manipulation or intervention)
-> goal is to understand natural behaviour
-> pros: real world insights & rich data
cons: no control & subjectivity

4. Controlled Experiments
-> behaviours are observed but with control
-> aim is to determine the change in behaviour with respect to change in situation
-> pros: control & replicable
cons: artificial & ltd. context
e.g: way students reactions changes with teaching techniques

5. Clinical Interviews
-> direct conv b/w professionals & patients & get the detailed info about thoughts, feelings &
behaviour
-> aim to understand, diagnose & treat
-> structured (same prep ques), unstructured(free flowing)
-> pros: indepth understanding & connections
cons: subjective & time consuming

6. Introspection
-> individuals introspect themselves & observe their internal mental processes
-> aim is to understand, feel & react to conscious experiences
-> pros: personal insights & foundation
cons: subjective & limited

7. Psychobiological Research
-> aspect that form connection between biological processes(hormones, genetics) & psychological
phenomena (thoughts, emotions)
-> aim to understand human behaviour from a biological perspec.
-> pros: comprehensive & treatment
cons: reduction & complex
-> biological tech
neurotransmitter: chemical messengers that transmit signal b/w neurons, emotions &
behaviour
brain structure: certain part for certain actions
genetic influence: hereditary factors responsible for disorder or traits
8. Case study
-> detailed examination from real life topics
-> to understand to unique phenomena & complex issues
-> pros: reality & indepth understanding
cons: subjectivity & ltd. generalisation

9. Computer Simulation & AI


-> Digital computers played a fundamental role in the emergence of the study of cognitive
psychology.
-> One kind of influence is indirect though models of human cognition based on models of how
computers process information. • Another kind is direct, that is through computer simulations
and artificial intelligence.
-> In computer simulations, researchers program computers to imitate a given human function or
process

◇ Fundamental Ideas

1. Empirical Data
-> info we gather through observation, experiments & other research methods. (foundation of
psychological studies)
-> theories are explanations that helps us to attempt to organise and interpret empirical data
(predict psy phen)
-> empirical & theories are interdependent. Empirical Data is used to test theories, while
theories guide collection of new data.

2. Cognition is generally adaptive, but not in all specific instance


-> humans are good at thinking, we can TLRP
-> but still, we can make mistakes cuz our minds get tricked by certain error
-> it's important to remember these errors

3. Cognitive through various sci perspective


->diff methods & insights, we can learn about our minds using experiments, brain scans & even
computer simulations. And each gives us a unique perspective
-> combining methods is the key, to get a complete picture of how our brain work, hence it's
best to use variety of approaches
-> more methods leads to stronger conclusion

4. Minds are interconnected


-> our minds are a complex network where diff parts work together to help us understand the
world around us.
-> Perception & memory works together so does our thinking and feeling.

5. Basic & Applied goes hand to hand


-> Basic research: This is when scientists study how the mind works just for the sake of
knowledge. For example, they might research how memory works.
-> Applied research: This is when scientists use their knowledge to solve real-world problems.
For example, they might study how to improve learning strategies.
-> They're connected: Even basic research can lead to practical applications, and studying
real-world problems can help us understand the mind better.

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