Cognitive psychology is the study of how humans process information from their environment through mental processes like perception, memory, decision-making, and language. Cognitive psychologists believe that human behavior is guided by mental processes and information processing, the mind can be studied scientifically, and cognitive processes are influenced by social and cultural factors. Schema theory proposes that people organize knowledge into mental representations called schemas, which are networks of beliefs and expectations that influence how people perceive the world based on their prior experiences and knowledge.

1. Cognitive Psychology
Principles

2. Learning Outcome
C1- Outline principles that define
the cognitive level of analysis.
Key Term:
Schema Theory

3. Mr. Bonica’s Story
How did Mr. Bonica arrive at his original
interpretation of the banker?
What factors led Mr. Bonica to make the
mistake that he did?

4. What is Cognitive Psychology?
Cognitive Psychology is the study of how
humans acquire, process and store
information from their environment.
Study mental processes such as perception,
memory, attention, decision making, and
language.
Relatively young branch of psychology (1960’s).

5. If you are a Cognitive Psychologist
you believe…
1. Human Beings are information
processors and mental processes guide
behavior.
2. The mind can be studied scientifically.
3. Cognitive processes are influenced by
social and cultural factors.

6. 1. Human Beings are information
processors and mental processes
guide behavior.
 Humans gather information from our environments and
shape them into meaning. The way we perceive the world
impacts the way we behave in it.
 Connection between the brain and the mind.

7. 2. The mind can be studied
scientifically.
Cognitive Processes that we cannot see
(memory, perception) can be studied using the
scientific method.

8. 3. Cognitive processes are
influenced by social and cultural
factors.
The culture and society we are raised in
change the way we process, store, and
recall information.

9. Difference Between Cognitive and
Biological Psychology
Brain vs. Mind
Biology focuses on physical explanations of
behavior (reductionism)
Cognitive focuses on mental processing
(information processing)

10. Schema Theory
A mental representation of knowledge
stored in the brain. A Schema can be
seen as a network of knowledge,
beliefs, and expectations about
particular aspects of the world.
We see the world how we expect to
see it…

11. Magic & Cognition
“Magic” is a manipulation of your attention
and perception.
When our schemas are violated, wonder
takes over and we work to fill in the
holes…When we can’t…”ITS MAGIC!”