Evolution of Cognitive Psychology - 1054 Words

Evolution of Cognitive Psychology Cognitive psychology is defined as â€Å"the scientific study of mental processes† (Riegler Riegler 2008, p. 1). During the 1960s, cognitive psychology became an emerging presence in the field of psychology. During this time period, attention to the study of â€Å"how internal states, such as thoughts, feelings, and moods influence behavior† (Cherry 2010, p. 12). Cognitive psychology studies how individuals think, comprehend language, and form beliefs. Human development involves cognitive development. Researchers attempted to study thought through introspection. However, introspection was not impartial because individuals are far too complex and do not share similar thoughts and ideas.†¦show more content†¦21). Human beings process information in a similar way. The creation of the computer was a great advantage in the field as well. Scientists found that the human mind and a computer shared many features in input, information processing, and organizat ion. Another reason in the emergence in cognitive psychology was the S-R approach. The S-R approach of learning language was devised by B.F. Skinner; which was a behaviorist approach. Skinner argued â€Å"that even complex ability like language could be captured in purely S-R terms† (Riegler Riegler 2008, p. 20). Noam Chomsky criticized Skinner’s analysis regarding the S-R approach claiming it to appear to be scientific. Chomsky felt that language was grasped in the mind, thus, popularized cognitive psychology. Overall, behaviorism was unreliable in the explanation of language. Impact of the Decline of Behaviorism on Cognitive Psychology The decline of behaviorism enabled the presence of cognitive psychology. Critics of behaviorism believed that the failure was to address factors such as free will, internal thoughts, and other methods of learning (Cherry, 2010). Behaviorists introduced the emphasis on scientific method, therefore, opening the door to cognitive psychology. According to Riegler Riegler (2008) â€Å"the failure of the S-R approach, coupled with the promise and excitementShow MoreRelatedEvolution of Cognitive Psychology1105 Words   |  5 PagesRunning head: EVOLUTION OF COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY PAPER Evolution of Cognitive Psychology PSYCH 560 Latrice T. Colbert Julie Bruno, Psy.D September 6, 2010 Cognition is a term referring to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension, including thinking, knowing, remembering, judging and problem-solving. 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