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Explore the various approaches to learning and cognitive processes in psychology, including information processing, mental representations, associationism, connectionism, neuro-cognition, and evolutionary psychology. Delve into the history of cognitive psychology, influential metaphors for the mind, and the key assumptions and influences of this field.
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Psychology 404Learning and Cognitive Processes David Allbritton
Approaches to Learning • Information Processing • Mental processes and representations • Associationist (Behaviorist) • Connectionist • Neuro-cognition • Evolutionary Psychology
Introduction to Cognitive (Information Processing) Psychology • Metaphors for the mind • A brief historical perspective • Influences on Cognitive Psychology
Metaphors for the Mind • Aristotle’s wax tablet (analog representation) • Locke’s chalkboard (passive learning) • Telephones and radios (information theory) • Computers (information processing theories) • Networks (connectionism)
A Brief History (1) • Structuralism -- Wundt • structure (representation) • mentalism • reductionism Criticized for: • restriction to low-level processes (ignoring much of thinking) • static -- no interest in process
A Brief History (2) 2. Functionalism – William James • function (process) • high-level thought processes • "Stream of consciousness" Criticized for: • lack of rigor
A Brief History (3) 3. Behaviorism – Watson, Skinner • external stimuli and observable behavior (S-R) • "black box" – no mentalism • methodological rigor • associationist Criticized for: • ignored internal thought
A Brief History (4) 4. The Cognitive Revolution (1960's) • mentalism returns • objective measures retained (RT, accuracy) • mental representations and mental processes become the object of study
Influences on Cognitive Psych • Behaviorism • Verbal Learning tradition (Ebbinghaus) • Human factors (WWII) • Information Theory (signal detection) • Computer Science (hardware/software) • Linguistics (rules and symbols)
3 Assumptions of Cog. Psych: • Mental processes exist and can be studied scientifically. • Humans are active seekers and processors of information. • Reaction time and accuracy can be used to measure mental processes.