Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Kristy Matthews
Psy 360
2/11/13
Professor Eric Tomlinson
Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology has most commonly been compared to behaviorism due to the sharp contrast of the perspectives (Willingham, 2007). Giving consideration to behaviorism’s lack of addressing the mental processes, cognitive psychology tries to provide a more substantial description of these processes that affect everyone. Cognitive psychology differs from any other kind of psychology, because cognitive psychology is more focused on experimentation and the scientific method (Willingham, 2007). The main purpose is to give an explanation as to how the human mind can turn input into coherent thoughts and actions using the process of cognition (Eysenck, 2004, Willingham, 2007).
Defining Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology examines the nature of the human psyche that cannot be seen and uses abstract constructs to create behavior that can be seen, which results in a more positive and correct understanding of these processes (Willingham, 2007). This particular branch of psychology was created when behaviorism failed, thanks to advancements in new technology, the ability to apply abstract concepts, and neuroscience (Willingham, 2007). The cognitive approach pioneered contemporary psychology with a scientific representation of the complicated human mind, and has created an opportunity to apply this information in treatments for disease and dysfunction that affects humans (Eysenck, 2004).
Cognitive Psychology is basically a psychological perspective that examines the mental processes that include the abilities for thinking, problem solving, perceiving, remembering, believing, and skills for speaking, and focuses on defining behavior by characteristics other than its obvious properties ("Cognitive psychology," 2009). It also includes the mental representations and the use of abstract constructs to connect the relationships between the structures and the
Kristy Matthews
Psy 360
2/11/13
Professor Eric Tomlinson
Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology has most commonly been compared to behaviorism due to the sharp contrast of the perspectives (Willingham, 2007). Giving consideration to behaviorism’s lack of addressing the mental processes, cognitive psychology tries to provide a more substantial description of these processes that affect everyone. Cognitive psychology differs from any other kind of psychology, because cognitive psychology is more focused on experimentation and the scientific method (Willingham, 2007). The main purpose is to give an explanation as to how the human mind can turn input into coherent thoughts and actions using the process of cognition (Eysenck, 2004, Willingham, 2007).
Defining Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology examines the nature of the human psyche that cannot be seen and uses abstract constructs to create behavior that can be seen, which results in a more positive and correct understanding of these processes (Willingham, 2007). This particular branch of psychology was created when behaviorism failed, thanks to advancements in new technology, the ability to apply abstract concepts, and neuroscience (Willingham, 2007). The cognitive approach pioneered contemporary psychology with a scientific representation of the complicated human mind, and has created an opportunity to apply this information in treatments for disease and dysfunction that affects humans (Eysenck, 2004).
Cognitive Psychology is basically a psychological perspective that examines the mental processes that include the abilities for thinking, problem solving, perceiving, remembering, believing, and skills for speaking, and focuses on defining behavior by characteristics other than its obvious properties ("Cognitive psychology," 2009). It also includes the mental representations and the use of abstract constructs to connect the relationships between the structures and the
References: Cacioppo, J. (2002). Social neuroscience: Understanding the pieces fosters understanding the whole and vice versa. American Psychologist. 57(11). 819-831. Retrieved November 18, 2010. EBSCOhost. Cherry, B. K. (n.d.). What Is Cognitive Psychology? Psychology - Complete Guide to Psychology for Students, Educators & Enthusiasts. Retrieved November 18, 2010, from http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/f/cogpsych.htm Cognitive psychology. (2009). In The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/penguinpsyc/cognitive_psychology Eysenck, M. W. (2004). Applied cognitive psychology: Implications of cognitive psychology for clinical psychology and psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60(4), 393-404. Retrieved November 18, 2010, from EBSCOhost. Wickens, A. (2005). Foundations of Biopsychology (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice- Hall. Willingham, D. T. (2007). Cognition: The thinking animal (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.