What is Cognitive Psychology?

Cognitive psychology is a theoretical foundation that explores the essential principles that have established and guided this unique field of psychological study. It begins with the basics of information processing and considers what experimental psychologists infer about these processes. It also explores what scientific explanations are required when we assume cognition is rule-governed symbol manipulation. This book places the reader in a position to critically evaluate questions such as Do we need the computer metaphor? Must we assume thinking involves mental representations? Do machines, or people, or brains, actually think?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: AU Press

Cognitive psychology is a field of psychological study that focuses on understanding the cognitive processes that underlie human behavior and cognition. It is rooted in the theoretical foundations of information processing, which have often received little attention in modern textbooks. Author Michael Dawson seeks to address this oversight by exploring the essential principles that have established and guided this unique field of psychological study.

Beginning with the basics of information processing, Dawson explores what experimental psychologists infer about these processes and considers what scientific explanations are required when we assume cognition is rule-governed symbol manipulation. From these foundations, psychologists can identify the architecture of cognition and better understand its role in debates about its true nature.

What is Cognitive Psychology? asks questions that will engage both students and researchers, including: Do we need the computer metaphor? Must we assume thinking involves mental representations? Do machines—or people—or brains—actually think? What is the cognitive in cognitive neuroscience and where is the mind? By establishing cognitive psychology's foundational assumptions in its early chapters, this book places the reader in a position to critically evaluate such questions.

Cognitive psychology is a multidisciplinary field that draws on insights from various fields, including psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and linguistics. It aims to understand how the human mind processes information, how we acquire and use knowledge, and how we make decisions and solve problems. Cognitive psychologists use a variety of methods, such as experimental psychology, cognitive modeling, and computational neuroscience, to investigate these questions.

One of the key concepts in cognitive psychology is information processing. Information processing refers to the way in which the human mind receives, stores, and processes information. It involves a series of cognitive processes, such as perception, attention, memory, and language, that are used to interpret and understand the world around us. Cognitive psychologists study these processes to better understand how they work and how they can be improved.

Another key concept in cognitive psychology is cognitive architecture. Cognitive architecture is a theoretical framework that describes the structure of the human mind and how it processes information. It includes a series of modules or components, such as the sensory system, the motor system, and the cognitive system, that work together to perform various cognitive tasks. Cognitive psychologists use cognitive architecture to better understand how different cognitive processes interact and how they can be improved.

Cognitive psychology also has important implications for education and training. By understanding how the human mind processes information, educators can design more effective teaching strategies that are tailored to individual learners. Cognitive psychologists also use cognitive modeling to develop training programs that improve cognitive skills, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving.

In conclusion, cognitive psychology is a fascinating field of psychological study that has the potential to improve our understanding of human behavior and cognition. By exploring the theoretical foundations of information processing and cognitive architecture, cognitive psychologists can better understand how the human mind works and how it can be improved. Cognitive psychology has important implications for education and training, and it has the potential to make a significant impact on our lives.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781771993418