The research methods in cognitive psychology
The Research Methods in Cognitive psychology is that the
study of mental processes like perceiving, remembering, and reasoning. At one
level, we've an interest in explaining your ability to understand what you're
reading, and in so doing, we are likely to appeal to processes of perception of
words and computation of meaning. At another level, we'd explain your motivation
for reading in terms of your goal to end this course, which successively is
motivated by your goal of obtaining a degree so on follow some plan that you
simply simply have for a career. Cognitive psychology the aim is that your
behaviour of reading this book is set partially by your intent to satisfy some
goal and fulfill some plan. Intentionality, goals, and plans are mental
phenomena that affect behaviour. Further, the precise behaviour, during this
case, reading, is understood by appeal to the precise mental processes involved
in perception and comprehension of text. In short, the study of mental
processes is significant because these processes are responsible for much of
our behaviours and interests.
This consists of the numerous research methods that we use in
psychology . Every research features a goal and it's achieved through
appropriate methodology. Cognitive psychology allow us to ascertain what are
the goals of research.
Research Methods in
Cognitive Psychology
For the research methods in cognitive psychology Use various
methods to explore how humans think. These methods include (i) laboratory or
other controlled experiments, (ii) psychobiological research, (iii)
self-reports, case studies, naturalistic observation, and (iv) computer
simulations and AI . Each method offers distinctive advantages and
disadvantages .
i) Experiments on Human
Behaviour: the
research methods in cognitive psychology In controlled experimental designs, an
experimenter conducts research, typically during a laboratory setting. The
experimenter controls as many aspects of the experimental situation as
possible. There are basically two sorts of variables in any given experiment –
independent variables and dependent variables. The irrelevant variables are
held constant and are called control variables.
ii) Psychobiological
Research: the
research methods in cognitive psychology Through psychobiological research, investigators
study the connection between cognitive performance and cerebral events and
situations. the varied specific techniques utilized in the psychobiological
research generally fall under three categories. the primary category is that of
techniques for studying an individual’s brain post-mortem, relating the
individual’s cognitive function before death to observable features of the
brain. The second category is techniques for studying images showing structures
of or activities within the brain of a private who is understood to possess a
specific cognitive deficit. The third is techniques for obtaining information
about cerebral processes during the traditional performance of a cognitive
activity (e.g. by using brain imaging techniques).
iii) Self-Reports, Case
Studies, and Naturalistic Observation: the research methods in cognitive psychology Individual experiments and psychobiological
studies often specialize in precise specification of discrete aspects of
cognition across individuals. to urge richly textured information about how
particular individuals think during a broad range of contexts, researchers may
use self-reports (an individual’s own account of cognitive processes), case
studies (in-depth studies of individuals), and naturalistic observation
(detailed studies of cognitive performance in everyday situations and no
laboratory contexts). On the one hand, experimental research is most useful for
testing hypotheses. On the other hand, research supported qualitative methods
is typically particularly useful for the formulation of hypotheses. These
methods are also useful to urge descriptions of rare events or processes that
we've no other because of measure.
iv) Computer
Simulations and Artificial Intelligence: Digital computers played a fundamental role within the
emergence of the study of psychology . One quite influence is indirect though
models of human cognition supported models of how computers process
information. Another kind is direct, that's through computer simulations and AI
. In computer simulations, researchers program computers to imitate a given
human function or process. Some researchers even have attempted to make
computer models of the whole cognitive architecture of the human mind.
The research methods in cognitive psychology Cognitive psychologists often broaden and
deepen their understanding of cognition through research in science . science
may be a crossdisciplinary field that uses ideas and methods from psychology ,
psychobiology, AI , philosophy, linguistics, and anthropology.
Four main research
methods in cognitive psychology
Given that we’re studying the blackbox that we may not open,
the next logical question is how does one study it? It would appear in the area
of cognitive psychology, there are four main ways of studying cognition: A) by
experiment, B) by comparing brain-damaged patients, C) by developing
computational models, and D) by brain scans.
Experiment
out of all the methods, the experimental methods is the
easiest to understand. There are usually conducted in a controlled environment,
which lends itself to scientific studies of data. However this type of
approaches are commonly challenged for two reasons: A) as explained before,
these can only provide indirect evidence about the internal processes involved,
and B) given the context of a controlled environment, which is highly
artificial, it is often difficult to justify or believe that the subjects will
behave in an identical manner in real life.
Comparison
the comparison method is an interesting one. Essentially,
cognitive psychologists look for brain-damaged patients and compare what they
can or cannot do with other patients. For example, if they have patients who
can speak very well but cannot hear, they can then conclude that the processes
involved in speaking are independent of those for hearing. This method is most
conclusive when patients with opposite skills matrix occur. For instance, if a
group of patients can do task A very well but not task B, and another group of
patients can do task B very well but not task A, we can then conclude with
confidence that the processes involved in task A or B are totally independent
of each other.
This method has its own limitations though. For example,
where patients can perform part of the task, can we still make a conclusion?
Also, this issue is that there is only one or two of the brain that contributes
to a certain function. However, more often than not, unless the task is
exceptionally simple, different functions of the brain will be invoked. Take
matching shapes as an example. Young children are often given toys which required
them to recognise different shapes. This is a very simple task in its own
right. However, it involves long-term memory (remembering the instruction
given), short-term memory (what their eyes have just seen), decision-making,
and motor skills. It is often very difficult to isolate these processes as
totally independent of each other.
Computational models
Computational models are closely akin to a branch of
computer science called artificial intelligence. Feeding by the information
gathered through previous methods, programmers builds computational models to
represent cognitive processes. Although cannot guarantee to be representative
of the exact cognitive process involved, it does allow a systematic way of
investigating the processes. Usually, the programmers involved use what is
known as the connection networks, where there are input links, processing
units, and output links. Unlike computer networks where there is specific
location for memories, connection networks in psychology have memories distributed
over the network.
Brain scans
finally, the last approach makes use of a modern technology
in brain scanning to establish where and when cognitive processes happen within
the brain. This method of study has been very useful in areas where processors
function in discreet ways. However, it has been less successful in higher order
cognitive functions such as reasoning and decision-making or where cognitive
functions and processes do overlap.
Reflection
It has been very interesting to read through the introductory
chapters of my first book in cognitive psychology. I have found the definition
and scope of cognitive psychology very helpful and the chapters discussing the
four major approaches informative. I was very surprised to see how
brain-damaged patients can help in research. And of course technological
advances has made it possible to probe into the blackbox itself.
Moving On
This book then continues to discuss cognitive psychology in four main study areas: A) three chapters on recognition and perception, B) two chapters on memory management, C) two chapters on language comprehension and production, and D) three chapters on problem solving and decision making. I will be updating my blog as I read and reflect on the material as I consider these areas one at a time.
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