2. COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
● The Study of how
people Perceive, learn,
remember and think
about information.
(Sternberg, 2003)
3. ASSUMPTIONS
● Individual components of mental
processes can be identified and
understood.
● Internal mental processes can be
described in terms of rules or
algorithms in information processing
models.
4. HISTORY
Two approaches have been used to study the
mind.
1. Historically, philosophical approaches have
rendered an understanding to the workings of the
mind using introspection.
2. And biology, has used observational (and
empirical) methods to study the mind.
5. PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS
Rationalism:
● Understanding of mind (or knowledge) through
logical analysis and introspection.
● Innateness of mind or mental faculties.
● Theory building in psychology today.
6. PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS
Empiricism:
● Observations of the external world are the only
means to arrive at truth.
● Acquired experiences through interaction with
the environment.
● Experimentation in psychology today.
7. Rene Descartes (1596-
1650)
➔ Descartes emphasized
reflective methods
(rationalism) over
observation to study
mind.
John Locke
(1632-1704)
➔ Locke emphasized
observation as a method
(empiricism) to study
mental processes.
8. IMMANUEL KANT (1724-1804)
➔ In eighteenth century German philosopher Kant addressed
the issue of rationalism and empiricism and said that both
approaches must be used to decipher truth and about
reality of mind.
9. EARLY CONTRIBUTIONS
Structuralism
● First psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany
(1879).
● To analyze the structure of the mind. Through
the method of introspection.
● Elements of mind: sensation, feelings, and
images.
10. EARLY CONTRIBUTIONS
Functionalism
● Mind or consciousness cannot be divided into
elements.
● Introspection cannot yield measures about the
mind.
● Mind or consciousness have adaptive value
11. EARLY CONTRIBUTIONS
Behaviorism
● Mind or consciousness cannot be divided into
elements.
● Introspection cannot yield measures about the
mind.
● Mind or consciousness have adaptive value
12. The Cognitive Approach
● Human behaviour can be explained as a set of scientific
processes.
● Our behaviour can be explained as a series of responses
to external stimuli.
● Behaviour is controlled by our own thought processes, as
opposed to genetic factors.
