Introduction
The field of psychology as an area of study consists of distinctive branches, each of which looks into human experiences, behavior, and mental process from a different point of view. For instance, cognitive psychology focuses on the study of human’s internal processes, such as what goes on in their minds, what motivates them as well as how they perceive people around them. Accordingly, as people’s curiosity in the relationship of the human brain and the behavioral responses in a cognitive task increased, many empirical and theoretical studies were conducted. The study of cognitive psychology has had a huge impact on other fields of study, and much of it has been integrated in the overall field of psychological study.
Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive Psychology is the study of the internal processes that takes place when a person tries to make sense of the environment and when a person decides on the appropriate action and responses. These processes include attention, perception, learning, memory, language, problem solving, reasoning and thinking (Eysenck and Keane, 2015). It is an approach to exploring and understanding the mysteries of human cognition by means of behavioral evidence whereby psychologists gain information by observing the behavior of people performing various cognitive tasks.
Key Milestones In The Development Of Cognitive Psychology As Discipline
A. The Study of Ethology
The study of animal behavior is considered as one among the milestones in the development of cognitive psychology. Scientists became interested in the behavior of animals and how they are influenced by the different processes of evolution and changes in the ecological conditions (Michel and Moore, 1995). The scientific effort to study the behavior of animals as it relates to their environment and other factors in their existence has gained considerable interest. Accordingly, the understanding gained from such study has been vital in examining the differences between the world of animals and that of humans. Currently, “scientists are ever alert to possible incursions of specifically human concerns and notions into studies of animal behavior” (Michel and Moore, 1995).
B. Behaviorism
Behaviorism has its significant contributions to understanding human and animal responses. It is mostly concerned with the observation of subjects and correlating behavioral responses with an external or environmental stimulus. Nevertheless, it had its drawbacks pointing towards insufficiency in explaining other aspects that may have contributed to a certain behavior such as those that happen internally or within a person's mind. This sparked interest in the study of the processes in the mind and how they associate with behavior, hence the cognitive revolution.
C. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence and psychoanalysis appear to be different because the former refers to non-human features while the latter denotes humanity, such as body and sexuality (Turkel, 1988). Nevertheless, AI has influences towards the development of cognitive psychology in a way that it also believes that the brain is an information processing device. If one can program different variables into a computer with AI, a logical response would be the end product. Therefore, it provides the notion that human reasoning can be understood and defined based on an input, which are the person’s experiences, and an output which is the person’s behavior.
D. Neuroscience
The study of how the nervous system and how the brain works is another developmental milestone of cognitive psychology. Neuroscience further provides information regarding the different brain functions which are vital in the field of cognitive psychology. In addition to that, neuroscience contributed to the study of cognitive development by providing explanations about behavioral observations that was noted earlier by psychology scholars (Diamond and Amso, 2008). Gaining a full understanding of an individual and the combined action of brain cells results to the understanding of mental abilities. Currently, cognitive psychologists who have a considerable experience in the field of neuroscience can demonstrate the ability to detect “cognitive problems before they are behaviorally observable” (Diamond and Amso, 2008).
The Importance Of Behavioral Observation In Cognitive Psychology
Behavioral observations are necessary in research and study of human behavior, and cognitive psychology is one discipline that benefits most from it. Since Cognitive psychology deals with internal processes of the mind, it is through observation of behavior that one can gather data which can be interpreted and inferred when analyzing these complex processes. It does not only provide concrete evidences of different clinically relevant behaviors that could confirm or disconfirm hypotheses, but it also provides information which testing data or self-report cannot provide. Behavioral observation allows cognitive psychologists interpret the data more competently.
Role Of The Brain In Cognitive Functions
All aspects of a person’s mental life – perceptions, thoughts, memories, actions, plans, language, understanding and other processes are dependent on brain function, and these have been widely accepted in science and medicine. Each area of the brain is viewed to be responsible for different cognitive functions. For example, the frontal lobe is responsible for processes such as thinking, memory, behavior and movement while the temporal lobe is for learning and emotions. Humans have benefited greatly from the brain's complex functioning, however, the disruption of the brain’s normal functioning can be detrimental to one’s well- being.
An accident that gained considerable interest in traumatic injury and how it impacts human cognition was exemplified in the case of Phineas Gage during the 19th century. The young man miraculously survived an accident despite severe injury on his head that damaged the frontal lobe of his brain. It was concluded that the damage in his brain has had a considerable impact on his cognition, as he changed from the well mannered and stable person, into someone who cuss inappropriately, gamble, drink and exhibited personality changes concerning self-control. It was then established that the damage to his brain “was profound, widespread and a probable contributor to both the acute as well as long-term behavioral changes” (Van Horn et al, 2012).
Conclusion
Cognitive psychology has greatly contributed to the understanding of the human mind. It has been used in behavioral observation, and it served as a major tool in helping psychologist draw inferences in the processes occurring inside the mind. It has significantly supported, not only in the development of theories and scientific explanations, but more importantly with the study of cognitive disabilities. Cognitive psychologists were able to work and enhance the mental health of their patients by having a better understanding of cognitive processes. It is through cognitive psychology that a better understanding of human behavior is gained
References
Diamond, A., Amso, D., (2008). Contributions of neuroscience to our understanding of cognitive development. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17 (2) pp. 136-141
Eysenck, M., Keane, M (2015) Cognitive Psychology: A student’s Handbook. Psychology Press
Michel G., Moore, C., (1995) Animal behavior, ethology, and human development. Developmental Psychobiology. MIT Press
Turke, S. (1998) Artificial intelligence. Journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 117(1)
Van Horn, J., Irimia, A., Torgerson, C., Chambers, M., Kikinis, R., Toga, A. (2012). Mapping connectivity damage in the case of Phineas Gage. PLOs One. 7(5)
