cognitive psychology vs experimental psychology

• General Categories
• Mental Health
• IQ and Intelligence
• Bipolar Disorder

Cognitive Science vs Psychology: Key Differences and Overlaps

In the tapestry of the human mind, the threads of cognitive science and psychology interweave, creating a complex pattern that seeks to illuminate our understanding of thought, behavior, and the very essence of what makes us who we are. This intricate design, woven with care and curiosity, has captivated scholars and laypeople alike for generations. But what exactly are these two fields, and how do they differ in their approach to unraveling the mysteries of the mind?

Let’s embark on a journey through the labyrinth of cognition and behavior, exploring the nuances that set cognitive science and psychology apart, while also discovering the common ground they share. It’s a tale of two disciplines, each with its own unique flavor, yet both essential ingredients in the recipe for understanding the human psyche.

The Roots of Understanding: A Brief History

Picture this: it’s the late 19th century, and a group of intrepid thinkers are gathered in a dimly lit room, debating the nature of the mind. This scene marks the birth of psychology as a formal discipline. Meanwhile, in another corner of the academic world, a diverse group of scientists, philosophers, and linguists are laying the groundwork for what would eventually become cognitive science.

Psychology, the elder sibling in this intellectual family, has its origins in the work of pioneers like Wilhelm Wundt and William James. These early psychologists were fascinated by the workings of the mind and sought to understand human behavior through careful observation and experimentation. Their efforts gave rise to a field that would eventually branch out into numerous subdisciplines, each focusing on different aspects of the human experience.

Cognitive science, on the other hand, is the precocious younger sibling that came of age in the mid-20th century. Born from the cognitive revolution, this field emerged as a response to the limitations of behaviorism, which dominated psychology for decades. Cognitive scientists sought to peer inside the “black box” of the mind, using tools and concepts from various disciplines to model mental processes.

Understanding the differences and similarities between these two fields is crucial for anyone interested in the study of the mind. It’s like having a map of two neighboring countries – knowing where the borders lie and where they blur can help you navigate the terrain more effectively. Whether you’re a student considering a career path, a professional looking to expand your knowledge, or simply a curious mind eager to understand yourself better, grasping the nuances of cognitive science and psychology can open up new avenues of thought and discovery.

Cognitive Science: The Mind’s Multitool

Imagine a Swiss Army knife for the mind – that’s cognitive science in a nutshell. This field is the ultimate interdisciplinary endeavor, bringing together insights from psychology, neuroscience, computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and anthropology. It’s like a mental Avengers team, with each discipline contributing its unique superpowers to tackle the complex problems of cognition.

At its core, cognitive science seeks to understand the nature of intelligence and the processes that underlie thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving. It’s not content with simply observing behavior; cognitive scientists want to build models that can explain and predict how the mind works. They’re the tinkerers of the academic world, always eager to take apart the clockwork of cognition and see what makes it tick.

Key areas of study in cognitive science include:

1. Perception and attention 2. Memory and learning 3. Language processing and acquisition 4. Decision-making and reasoning 5. Consciousness and metacognition

Research methods in cognitive science are as diverse as the field itself. You might find cognitive scientists conducting behavioral experiments, analyzing brain scans, developing computer simulations, or even building robots to test theories about intelligence. It’s a field that embraces both the empirical rigor of science and the creative speculation of philosophy.

One of the most notable contributions of cognitive science has been the development of computational models of cognition. These models have not only advanced our understanding of how the mind works but have also paved the way for innovations in artificial intelligence and machine learning. It’s like cognitive scientists are reverse-engineering the human brain, piece by piece, to create smarter machines and better understand ourselves in the process.

Psychology: The Human Experience Decoder

If cognitive science is the Swiss Army knife of the mind, then psychology is the master key that unlocks the doors of human experience. This venerable field has been exploring the depths of behavior, emotion, and mental processes for over a century, and its influence can be felt in virtually every aspect of modern life.

Psychology is a broad and diverse discipline, with branches that extend into nearly every corner of human existence. From the inner workings of the individual mind to the complex dynamics of social groups, psychologists seek to understand and explain the myriad factors that shape human behavior. It’s like they’re piecing together an enormous jigsaw puzzle, with each subdiscipline contributing a unique set of pieces to the overall picture.

Some of the major branches of psychology include:

1. Clinical psychology 2. Developmental psychology 3. Social psychology 4. Cognitive psychology 5. Neuropsychology 6. Industrial-organizational psychology

Research methods in psychology are as varied as the topics they study. Psychologists might conduct controlled experiments, carry out observational studies, analyze case histories, or use surveys and questionnaires to gather data. They’re like detectives, using every tool at their disposal to uncover the mysteries of human behavior.

Throughout its history, psychology has made numerous groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of the human mind. From Freud’s theories of the unconscious to Skinner’s work on operant conditioning, from Piaget’s stages of cognitive development to Kahneman and Tversky’s insights into decision-making biases, psychology has consistently pushed the boundaries of what we know about ourselves.

When Minds Meet: The Intersection of Cognitive Science and Psychology

Now, imagine a Venn diagram where cognitive science and psychology overlap. That intersection is a bustling marketplace of ideas, where concepts and methods from both fields are traded freely. It’s in this intellectual bazaar that some of the most exciting developments in the study of the mind are taking place.

One area where cognitive science and psychology find common ground is in the study of cognitive processes. Both fields are interested in how we perceive, remember, think, and solve problems. However, they often approach these questions from different angles. Psychological science vs psychology often focuses on how these processes manifest in human behavior, while cognitive science might be more concerned with creating computational models that can simulate these processes.

Research methodologies also show both overlap and divergence between the two fields. While both use experimental methods, cognitive science tends to lean more heavily on computational modeling and brain imaging techniques. Psychology, on the other hand, has a richer tradition of qualitative research methods, such as in-depth interviews and case studies.

The theoretical frameworks used in cognitive science and psychology can also differ. Cognitive science often draws on theories from computer science and artificial intelligence, viewing the mind as an information processing system. Psychology, while not ignoring these perspectives, also incorporates a wider range of theoretical approaches, including psychodynamic, humanistic, and behaviorist frameworks.

When it comes to understanding the mind, psychological approaches tend to focus more on individual differences and the role of emotions and motivation in shaping behavior. Cognitive science, while not ignoring these factors, often takes a more mechanistic view, seeking to understand the underlying processes that are common to all human minds.

Diverging Paths: Key Differences Between Cognitive Science and Psychology

While cognitive science and psychology share many interests, they diverge in several key areas. It’s like they’re two explorers setting out to map the same territory, but taking different routes and using different tools.

One of the most significant differences lies in their focus. Psychology, true to its roots, places a strong emphasis on behavior and the human experience. It’s concerned with how people think, feel, and act in real-world situations. Cognitive science, on the other hand, is more focused on the mental processes themselves, often abstracting away from individual differences to understand the fundamental mechanisms of cognition.

The interdisciplinary nature of cognitive science sets it apart from the more specialized approach of psychology. While psychology certainly draws on insights from other fields, cognitive science is inherently cross-disciplinary, integrating perspectives from a wide range of disciplines. It’s like cognitive science is hosting a dinner party where neuroscientists, computer scientists, linguists, and philosophers are all seated at the same table, while psychology is having a more intimate gathering with its close relatives.

Another key difference lies in the emphasis on computational models. Cognitive science places a strong emphasis on developing and testing computational models of mental processes. These models serve as concrete, testable hypotheses about how the mind works. Psychology, while not ignoring such models, tends to place more emphasis on empirical observations of human behavior and experience.

When it comes to applying their findings, psychology and cognitive science often diverge. Applied behavioral science vs psychology often focuses on practical applications in areas like mental health, education, and organizational behavior. Cognitive science, while certainly having practical applications, is often more concerned with fundamental questions about the nature of intelligence and cognition.

The Future is Interdisciplinary: Collaborative Efforts and New Horizons

As we peer into the crystal ball of academic futures, one thing becomes clear: the lines between cognitive science and psychology are likely to become increasingly blurred. It’s not a turf war, but a collaborative effort to build a more comprehensive understanding of the mind.

Already, we’re seeing exciting developments at the intersection of these fields. Cognitive neuroscience, for instance, brings together insights from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computational modeling to understand how brain structure and function give rise to mental processes. It’s like watching the birth of a new species, one that combines the best traits of its parent disciplines.

Another emerging field is computational psychiatry, which applies the tools of cognitive science to understand and treat mental health disorders. This approach holds the promise of developing more precise, personalized treatments for conditions like depression and anxiety. It’s a perfect example of how the theoretical insights of cognitive science can be combined with the clinical focus of psychology to make a real difference in people’s lives.

The potential benefits of these interdisciplinary approaches are enormous. By combining the rigorous modeling techniques of cognitive science with the rich empirical traditions of psychology, researchers can develop more comprehensive and nuanced theories of how the mind works. It’s like adding a new dimension to our mental map, allowing us to see connections and patterns that were previously hidden.

Of course, this interdisciplinary future also presents challenges. Researchers will need to become fluent in multiple academic languages, able to bridge the gaps between different methodologies and theoretical frameworks. It’s a tall order, but the potential rewards – a deeper, more holistic understanding of the human mind – make it well worth the effort.

As we wrap up our exploration of cognitive science and psychology, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve taken. We’ve traversed the landscape of two rich and complex fields, each with its own unique perspective on the workings of the mind.

We’ve seen how cognitive science, with its interdisciplinary approach and focus on computational models, offers a powerful toolkit for understanding the mechanisms of thought and reasoning. And we’ve explored how psychology, with its deep roots in the study of human behavior and experience, provides invaluable insights into the complexities of the human psyche.

While these fields have their differences – in focus, methodology, and theoretical frameworks – they also share a common goal: to unlock the mysteries of the mind and help us better understand ourselves and others. It’s this shared mission that makes the study of cognitive science and psychology so exciting and so important.

As we look to the future, it’s clear that the most promising developments will come from the integration of these two approaches. By combining the strengths of cognitive science and psychology, researchers are opening up new frontiers in our understanding of the mind, from the neural basis of consciousness to the complexities of social cognition.

So whether you’re a student considering a career in these fields, a professional looking to expand your knowledge, or simply someone fascinated by the workings of the mind, I encourage you to explore both cognitive science and psychology. Each offers a unique lens through which to view the human experience, and together, they provide a richer, more nuanced picture of what it means to be human.

After all, in the grand tapestry of the mind, it’s the interweaving of different threads – be they from cognitive science, psychology, or any other discipline – that creates the most beautiful and illuminating patterns. So let’s keep weaving, exploring, and discovering. The mind, in all its complexity and wonder, awaits our curious gaze.

References:

1. Miller, G. A. (2003). The cognitive revolution: a historical perspective. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 7(3), 141-144.

2. Newell, A., & Simon, H. A. (1972). Human problem solving. Prentice-Hall.

3. Gardner, H. (1985). The mind’s new science: A history of the cognitive revolution. Basic Books.

4. Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

5. Pinker, S. (1997). How the mind works. W. W. Norton & Company.

6. Thagard, P. (2005). Mind: Introduction to cognitive science. MIT Press.

7. Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2015). Cognitive psychology: A student’s handbook. Psychology Press.

8. Gazzaniga, M. S., Ivry, R. B., & Mangun, G. R. (2014). Cognitive neuroscience: The biology of the mind. W. W. Norton & Company.

9. Montague, P. R., Dolan, R. J., Friston, K. J., & Dayan, P. (2012). Computational psychiatry. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(1), 72-80.

10. Barsalou, L. W. (2017). What does semantic tiling of the cortex tell us about semantics? Neuropsychologia, 105, 18-38.

Was this article helpful?

Would you like to add any comments (optional), leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post Comment

Related Resources

Psychology Clearing: Navigating Your Path to Mental Health Studies

Creativity Psychology: Exploring the Science Behind Innovation and Imagination

Cognitive Psychology at UCSD: Pioneering Research and Educational Excellence

Psychology in a Sentence: Unraveling the Multifaceted Nature of the…

Confluence in Psychology: Merging Streams of Thought and Behavior

Contrarian Definition in Psychology: Exploring Unconventional Thinking

Psychology Career Prep: Essential Steps for Aspiring Mental Health Professionals

Concrete Thinking in Psychology: Exploring Its Definition and Impact

Cognitive Activities in Psychology: Definition, Types, and Importance

Armchair Psychology: Unpacking the Phenomenon of Amateur Analysis

• Remember me Not recommended on shared computers

Forgot your password?

• Psychology Forum

Experimental vs Cognitive?

By TheLocust3 August 11, 2012 in Psychology Forum

Recommended Posts

Would anyone please illuminate any reason for choosing one over the other, if my goal is to study learning and memory? There seem to be so few 'cognitive psychology' programs, but far more 'experimental psychology' programs. If the faculty at a given school is doing research in that area anyway, would it make a difference which path I took?

I actually don't think it would matter that much. In my experience, there are far more cognitive psychologh programs than pure experiemental psychology programs. What would matter more is the methodology and the interest of your POI.

I'm confused about the difference. Developmental, social, neuroscience, clinical -- any area of psychology, really, can be "experimental".

stereopticons

A lot of places have a PhD in Experimental with a specialization in whatever field you choose (developmental, social, cognitive, etc.), which is usually separate from the Clinical PhD. I don't think the programs like that and the ones that are specifically PhD in Cognitive, etc. really have any substantial differences. It seems to have more to do with how the program and the department is organized. It probably doesn't matter much--I suspect you'll be doing the same work and same research regardless.

• 3point14 and lewin

That makes complete sense. I had forgotten that many programs have that "expermental/clinical" divide in labelling, in the sense that everything non-clinical is "experimental".

Im asking because I don't know if I'll have to be familiar with neurophysics or the like in order to do cognitive rearch.

Sorry for the naivete.

• Quant_Liz_Lemon

At my school, our psych department does a LOT with memory/cognitive research. For undergrad involvement, you don't need to be familiar with neuroscience. They're usually content with a major in psychology or any prior experience in lab work. When I got involved with my lab, I was still just an econ major.

On a semi-relevant note, one of our cognitive profs did his undergrad in mechanical engineering with only two undergrad courses in psych.

My general sense is that you don't need a major in neuro or psych to do research, but to be a competitive grad school applicant, you'll need research experience. Does that make sense?

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Already have an account? Sign in here.

• Existing user? Sign In
• Online Users
• All Activity
• My Activity Streams
• Unread Content
• Content I Started
• Results Search
• Post Results
• Leaderboard
• Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Cognitive Approach in Psychology

Saul McLeod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Learn about our Editorial Process

Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.

On This Page:

Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of the mind as an information processor. It concerns how we take in information from the outside world, and how we make sense of that information.

Cognitive psychology studies mental processes, including how people perceive, think, remember, learn, solve problems, and make decisions.

Cognitive psychologists try to build cognitive models of the information processing that occurs inside people’s minds, including perception, attention, language, memory, thinking, and consciousness.

Cognitive psychology became of great importance in the mid-1950s. Several factors were important in this:

• Dissatisfaction with the behaviorist approach in its simple emphasis on external behavior rather than internal processes.
• The development of better experimental methods.
• Comparison between human and computer processing of information . Using computers allowed psychologists to try to understand the complexities of human cognition by comparing it with computers and artificial intelligence.

The emphasis of psychology shifted away from the study of conditioned behavior and psychoanalytical notions about the study of the mind, towards the understanding of human information processing using strict and rigorous laboratory investigation.

Summary Table

Theoretical assumptions.

Mediational processes occur between stimulus and response:

The behaviorist approach only studies external observable (stimulus and response) behavior that can be objectively measured.

They believe that internal behavior cannot be studied because we cannot see what happens in a person’s mind (and therefore cannot objectively measure it).

However, cognitive psychologists consider it essential to examine an organism’s mental processes and how these influence behavior.

Cognitive psychology assumes a mediational process occurs between stimulus/input and response/output. 

These are mediational processes because they mediate (i.e., go-between) between the stimulus and the response. They come after the stimulus and before the response.

Instead of the simple stimulus-response links proposed by behaviorism, the mediational processes of the organism are essential to understand.

Without this understanding, psychologists cannot have a complete understanding of behavior.

The mediational (i.e., mental) event could be memory , perception , attention or problem-solving, etc. 

• Perception : how we process and interpret sensory information.
• Attention : how we selectively focus on certain aspects of our environment.
• Memory : how we encode, store, and retrieve information.
• Language : how we acquire, comprehend, and produce language.
• Problem-solving and decision-making : how we reason, make judgments, and solve problems.
• Schemas : Cognitive psychologists assume that people’s prior knowledge, beliefs, and experiences shape their mental processes. 

For example, the cognitive approach suggests that problem gambling results from maladaptive thinking and faulty cognitions, which both result in illogical errors.

Gamblers misjudge the amount of skill involved with ‘chance’ games, so they are likely to participate with the mindset that the odds are in their favour and that they may have a good chance of winning.

Therefore, cognitive psychologists say that if you want to understand behavior, you must understand these mediational processes.

Psychology should be seen as a science:

This assumption is based on the idea that although not directly observable, the mind can be investigated using objective and rigorous methods, similar to how other sciences study natural phenomena. 

Controlled experiments

The cognitive approach believes that internal mental behavior can be scientifically studied using controlled experiments .

It uses the results of its investigations to make inferences about mental processes. 

Cognitive psychology uses highly controlled laboratory experiments to avoid the influence of extraneous variables .

This allows the researcher to establish a causal relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

These controlled experiments are replicable, and the data obtained is objective (not influenced by an individual’s judgment or opinion) and measurable. This gives psychology more credibility.

Operational definitions

Cognitive psychologists develop operational definitions to study mental processes scientifically.

These definitions specify how abstract concepts, such as attention or memory, can be measured and quantified (e.g., verbal protocols of thinking aloud). This allows for reliable and replicable research findings.

Falsifiability

Falsifiability in psychology refers to the ability to disprove a theory or hypothesis through empirical observation or experimentation. If a claim is not falsifiable, it is considered unscientific.

Cognitive psychologists aim to develop falsifiable theories and models, meaning they can be tested and potentially disproven by empirical evidence.

This commitment to falsifiability helps to distinguish scientific theories from pseudoscientific or unfalsifiable claims.

Empirical evidence

Cognitive psychologists rely on empirical evidence to support their theories and models.

They collect data through various methods, such as experiments, observations, and questionnaires, to test hypotheses and draw conclusions about mental processes.

Cognitive psychologists assume that mental processes are not random but are organized and structured in specific ways. They seek to identify the underlying cognitive structures and processes that enable people to perceive, remember, and think.

Cognitive psychologists have made significant contributions to our understanding of mental processes and have developed various theories and models, such as the multi-store model of memory , the working memory model , and the dual-process theory of thinking.

Humans are information processors:

The idea of information processing was adopted by cognitive psychologists as a model of how human thought works.

The information processing approach is based on several assumptions, including:

• Information is processed by a series of systems : The information processing approach proposes that a series of cognitive systems, such as attention, perception, and memory, process information from the environment. Each system plays a specific role in processing the information and passing it along to the next stage.
• Processing systems transform information : As information passes through these cognitive systems, it is transformed or modified in systematic ways. For example, incoming sensory information may be filtered by attention, encoded into memory, or used to update existing knowledge structures.
• Research aims to specify underlying processes and structures : The primary goal of research within the information processing approach is to identify, describe, and understand the specific cognitive processes and mental structures that underlie various aspects of cognitive performance, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Human information processing resembles computer processing : The information processing approach draws an analogy between human cognition and computer processing. Just as computers take in information, process it according to specific algorithms, and produce outputs, the human mind is thought to engage in similar processes of input, processing, and output.

Computer-Mind Analogy

The computer-brain metaphor, or the information processing approach, is a significant concept in cognitive psychology that likens the human brain’s functioning to that of a computer.

This metaphor suggests that the brain, like a computer, processes information through a series of linear steps, including input, storage, processing, and output.

According to this assumption, when we interact with the environment, we take in information through our senses (input).

This information is then processed by various cognitive systems, such as perception, attention, and memory. These systems work together to make sense of the input, organize it, and store it for later use.

During the processing stage, the mind performs operations on the information, such as encoding, transforming, and combining it with previously stored knowledge. This processing can involve various cognitive processes, such as thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making.

The processed information can then be used to generate outputs, such as actions, decisions, or new ideas. These outputs are based on the information that has been processed and the individual’s goals and motivations.

This has led to models showing information flowing through the cognitive system, such as the multi-store memory model.

The information processing approach also assumes that the mind has a limited capacity for processing information, similar to a computer’s memory and processing limitations.

This means that humans can only attend to and process a certain amount of information at a given time, and that cognitive processes can be slowed down or impaired when the mind is overloaded.

The Role of Schemas

A schema is a “packet of information” or cognitive framework that helps us organize and interpret information. It is based on previous experience.

Cognitive psychologists assume that people’s prior knowledge, beliefs, and experiences shape their mental processes. They investigate how these factors influence perception, attention, memory, and thinking.

Schemas help us interpret incoming information quickly and effectively, preventing us from being overwhelmed by the vast amount of information we perceive in our environment.

Schemas can often affect cognitive processing (a mental framework of beliefs and expectations developed from experience). As people age, they become more detailed and sophisticated.

However, it can also lead to distortion of this information as we select and interpret environmental stimuli using schemas that might not be relevant.

This could be the cause of inaccuracies in areas such as eyewitness testimony. It can also explain some errors we make when perceiving optical illusions.

1. Behaviorist Critique

B.F. Skinner criticizes the cognitive approach. He believes that only external stimulus-response behavior should be studied, as this can be scientifically measured.

Therefore, mediation processes (between stimulus and response) do not exist as they cannot be seen and measured.

Behaviorism assumes that people are born a blank slate (tabula rasa) and are not born with cognitive functions like schemas , memory or perception .

Due to its subjective and unscientific nature, Skinner continues to find problems with cognitive research methods, namely introspection (as used by Wilhelm Wundt).

2. Complexity of mental experiences

Mental processes are highly complex and multifaceted, involving a wide range of cognitive, affective, and motivational factors that interact in intricate ways.

The complexity of mental experiences makes it difficult to isolate and study specific mental processes in a controlled manner.

Mental processes are often influenced by individual differences, such as personality, culture, and past experiences, which can introduce variability and confounds in research .

3. Experimental Methods 

While controlled experiments are the gold standard in cognitive psychology research, they may not always capture real-world mental processes’ complexity and ecological validity.

Some mental processes, such as creativity or decision-making in complex situations, may be difficult to study in laboratory settings.

Humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers believes that using laboratory experiments by cognitive psychology has low ecological validity and creates an artificial environment due to the control over variables .

Rogers emphasizes a more holistic approach to understanding behavior.

The cognitive approach uses a very scientific method that is controlled and replicable, so the results are reliable.

However, experiments lack ecological validity because of the artificiality of the tasks and environment, so they might not reflect the way people process information in their everyday lives.

For example, Baddeley (1966) used lists of words to find out the encoding used by LTM.

However, these words had no meaning to the participants, so the way they used their memory in this task was probably very different from what they would have done if the words had meaning for them.

This is a weakness, as the theories might not explain how memory works outside the laboratory.

4. Computer Analogy

The information processing paradigm of cognitive psychology views the minds in terms of a computer when processing information.

However, although there are similarities between the human mind and the operations of a computer (inputs and outputs, storage systems, and the use of a central processor), the computer analogy has been criticized.

For example, the human mind is characterized by consciousness, subjective experience, and self-awareness , which are not present in computers.

Computers do not have feelings, emotions, or a sense of self, which play crucial roles in human cognition and behavior.

The brain-computer metaphor is often used implicitly in neuroscience literature through terms like “sensory computation,” “algorithms,” and “neural codes.” However, it is difficult to identify these concepts in the actual brain.

5. Reductionist

The cognitive approach is reductionist as it does not consider emotions and motivation, which influence the processing of information and memory. For example, according to the Yerkes-Dodson law , anxiety can influence our memory.

Such machine reductionism (simplicity) ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system and how this may affect our ability to process information.

Early theories of cognitive approach did not always recognize physical ( biological psychology ) and environmental (behaviorist approach) factors in determining behavior.

However, it’s important to note that modern cognitive psychology has evolved to incorporate a more holistic understanding of human cognition and behavior.

1. Importance of cognitive factors versus external events

Cognitive psychology emphasizes the role of internal cognitive processes in shaping emotional experiences, rather than solely focusing on external events.

Beck’s cognitive theory suggests that it is not the external events themselves that lead to depression, but rather the way an individual interprets and processes those events through their negative schemas.

This highlights the importance of addressing cognitive factors in the treatment of depression and other mental health issues.

Social exchange theory (Thibaut & Kelly, 1959) emphasizes that relationships are formed through internal mental processes, such as decision-making, rather than solely based on external factors.

The computer analogy can be applied to this concept, where individuals observe behaviors (input), process the costs and benefits (processing), and then make a decision about the relationship (output).

2. Interdisciplinary approach

While early cognitive psychology may have neglected physical and environmental factors, contemporary cognitive psychology has increasingly integrated insights from other approaches.

Cognitive psychology draws on methods and findings from other scientific disciplines, such as neuroscience , computer science, and linguistics, to inform their understanding of mental processes.

This interdisciplinary approach strengthens the scientific basis of cognitive psychology.

Cognitive psychology has influenced and integrated with many other approaches and areas of study to produce, for example, social learning theory , cognitive neuropsychology, and artificial intelligence (AI).

3. Real World Applications

Another strength is that the research conducted in this area of psychology very often has applications in the real world.

By highlighting the importance of cognitive processing, the cognitive approach can explain mental disorders such as depression.

Beck’s cognitive theory of depression argues that negative schemas about the self, the world, and the future are central to the development and maintenance of depression.

These negative schemas lead to biased processing of information, selective attention to negative aspects of experience, and distorted interpretations of events, which perpetuate the depressive state.

By identifying the role of cognitive processes in mental disorders, cognitive psychology has informed the development of targeted interventions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to modify the maladaptive thought patterns and beliefs that underlie emotional distress, helping individuals to develop more balanced and adaptive ways of thinking.

CBT’s basis is to change how people process their thoughts to make them more rational or positive.

Through techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and guided discovery, CBT helps individuals to challenge and change their negative schemas, leading to improvements in mood and functioning.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been very effective in treating depression (Hollon & Beck, 1994), and moderately effective for anxiety problems (Beck, 1993). 

Issues and Debates

Free will vs. determinism.

The cognitive approach’s position is unclear. It argues that cognitive processes are influenced by experiences and schemas, which implies a degree of determinism.

On the other hand, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) operates on the premise that individuals can change their thought patterns, suggesting a capacity for free will.

Nature vs. Nurture

The cognitive approach takes an interactionist view of the debate, acknowledging the influence of both nature and nurture on cognitive processes.

It recognizes that while some cognitive abilities, such as language acquisition, may have an innate component (nature), experiences and learning (nurture) also shape the way information is processed.

Holism vs. Reductionism

The cognitive approach tends to be reductionist in its methodology, as it often studies cognitive processes in isolation.

For example, researchers may focus on memory processes without considering the influence of other cognitive functions or environmental factors.

While this approach allows for more controlled study, it may lack ecological validity, as in real life, cognitive processes typically interact and function simultaneously.

Idiographic vs. Nomothetic

The cognitive approach is primarily nomothetic, as it seeks to establish general principles and theories of information processing that apply to all individuals.

It aims to identify universal patterns and mechanisms of cognition rather than focusing on individual differences.

History of Cognitive Psychology

• Wolfgang Köhler (1925) – Köhler’s book “The Mentality of Apes” challenged the behaviorist view by suggesting that animals could display insightful behavior, leading to the development of Gestalt psychology.
• Norbert Wiener (1948) – Wiener’s book “Cybernetics” introduced concepts such as input and output, which influenced the development of information processing models in cognitive psychology.
• Edward Tolman (1948) – Tolman’s work on cognitive maps in rats demonstrated that animals have an internal representation of their environment, challenging the behaviorist view.
• George Miller (1956) – Miller’s paper “The Magical Number 7 Plus or Minus 2” proposed that short-term memory has a limited capacity of around seven chunks of information, which became a foundational concept in cognitive psychology.
• Allen Newell and Herbert A. Simon (1972) – Newell and Simon developed the General Problem Solver, a computer program that simulated human problem-solving, contributing to the growth of artificial intelligence and cognitive modeling.
• George Miller and Jerome Bruner (1960) – Miller and Bruner established the Center for Cognitive Studies at Harvard, which played a significant role in the development of cognitive psychology as a distinct field.
• Ulric Neisser (1967) – Neisser’s book “Cognitive Psychology” formally established cognitive psychology as a separate area of study, focusing on mental processes such as perception, memory, and thinking.
• Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin (1968) – Atkinson and Shiffrin proposed the Multi-Store Model of memory, which divided memory into sensory, short-term, and long-term stores, becoming a key model in the study of memory.
• Eleanor Rosch’s (1970s) research on natural categories and prototypes, which influenced the study of concept formation and categorization.
• Endel Tulving’s (1972) distinction between episodic and semantic memory, which further developed the understanding of long-term memory.
• Baddeley and Hitch’s (1974) proposal of the Working Memory Model, which expanded on the concept of short-term memory and introduced the idea of a central executive.
• Marvin Minsky’s (1975) framework of frames in artificial intelligence, which influenced the understanding of knowledge representation in cognitive psychology.
• David Rumelhart and Andrew Ortony’s (1977) work on schema theory, which described how knowledge is organized and used for understanding and remembering information.
• Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman’s (1970s-80s) research on heuristics and biases in decision making, which led to the development of behavioral economics and the study of judgment and decision-making.
• David Marr’s (1982) computational theory of vision, which provided a framework for understanding visual perception and influenced the field of computational cognitive science.
• The development of connectionism and parallel distributed processing (PDP) models in the 1980s, which provided an alternative to traditional symbolic models of cognitive processes.
• Noam Chomsky’s (1980s) theory of Universal Grammar and the language acquisition device, which influenced the study of language and cognitive development.
• The emergence of cognitive neuroscience in the 1990s, which combined techniques from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computer science to study the neural basis of cognitive processes.

Atkinson, R. C., & Shiffrin, R. M. (1968). Chapter: Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes. In Spence, K. W., & Spence, J. T. The psychology of learning and motivation (Volume 2). New York: Academic Press. pp. 89–195.

Baddeley, A. D., & Hitch, G. (1974). Working memory. In G. H. Bower (Ed.), The Psychology of Learning and Motivation: Advances in Research and Theory (Vol. 8, pp. 47-89). Academic Press.

Beck, A. T, & Steer, R. A. (1993). Beck Anxiety Inventory Manual. San Antonio: Harcourt Brace and Company.

Chomsky, N. (1986). Knowledge of Language: Its Nature, Origin, and Use . Praeger.

Gazzaniga, M. S. (Ed.). (1995). The Cognitive Neurosciences. MIT Press.

Hollon, S. D., & Beck, A. T. (1994). Cognitive and cognitive-behavioral therapies. In A. E. Bergin & S.L. Garfield (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change (pp. 428—466) . New York: Wiley.

Köhler, W. (1925). An aspect of Gestalt psychology. The Pedagogical Seminary and Journal of Genetic Psychology, 32(4) , 691-723.

Marr, D. (1982). Vision: A Computational Investigation into the Human Representation and Processing of Visual Information . W. H. Freeman.

Miller, G. A. (1956). The magical number seven, plus or minus two: some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review , 63 (2): 81–97.

Minsky, M. (1975). A framework for representing knowledge. In P. H. Winston (Ed.), The Psychology of Computer Vision (pp. 211-277). McGraw-Hill.

Neisser, U (1967). Cognitive psychology . Appleton-Century-Crofts: New York

Newell, A., & Simon, H. (1972). Human problem solving . Prentice-Hall.

Rosch, E. H. (1973). Natural categories. Cognitive Psychology, 4 (3), 328-350.

Rumelhart, D. E., & McClelland, J. L. (1986). Parallel Distributed Processing: Explorations in the Microstructure of Cognition. Volume 1: Foundations. MIT Press.

Rumelhart, D. E., & Ortony, A. (1977). The representation of knowledge in memory. In R. C. Anderson, R. J. Spiro, & W. E. Montague (Eds.), Schooling and the Acquisition of Knowledge (pp. 99-135). Erlbaum.

Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases. Science, 185 (4157), 1124-1131.

Thibaut, J., & Kelley, H. H. (1959). The social psychology of groups . New York: Wiley.

Tolman, E. C., Hall, C. S., & Bretnall, E. P. (1932). A disproof of the law of effect and a substitution of the laws of emphasis, motivation and disruption. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 15(6) , 601.

Tolman E. C. (1948). Cognitive maps in rats and men . Psychological Review. 55, 189–208

Tulving, E. (1972). Episodic and semantic memory. In E. Tulving & W. Donaldson (Eds.), Organization of Memory (pp. 381-403). Academic Press.

Wiener, N. (1948). Cybernetics or control and communication in the animal and the machine . Paris, (Hermann & Cie) & Camb. Mass. (MIT Press).

Further Reading

• Why Your Brain is Not a Computer
• Cognitive Psychology Historial Development

• Psychology Programs

What is the Difference Between Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology?

For sixty years, the contrasting philosophies of behavioral psychology and cognitive psychology have vied for the soul of psychology.

From the 1920s to the 1950s, behavioral psychology dominated much of psychological thought, but the cognitive revolution of the 1950s revealed cracks in the theories of the radical behaviorists, and cognitive psychology eventually managed to gain the upper hand.

But psychologists from both sides of the spectrum began to realize that both methods have value in treating patients, giving birth to a combined cognitive-behavioral therapy. Most psychologists now use a combination of behavioral and cognitive therapy.

Cognitive Psychology Vs. Behavioral Psychology

Cognitive psychology investigates mental processes like memory, perception, and problem-solving, with emphasizes on internal mental states. On the other hand, behavioral psychology focuses on observable behaviors and the impact of environmental stimuli. It primarily studies external factors shaping behavior through conditioning and reinforcement.

Behavioral Psychology

Behavioral psychology, otherwise known as behaviorism, is based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning, via interaction with the environment.

The original behaviorists claimed that internal states like cognition, emotions and moods were too subjective to give any credence to and that genetics should have no place in psychology; they believed that observable behaviors were the only factors in psychology worth considering.

Conditioning is one of the main themes of behaviorists, and they name two major types of conditioning, classical and operant .

Classical conditioning was discovered by Ivan Pavlov during his famous experiment with dogs. Every time Pavlov fed a dog, he rang a bell. Pavlov then rang the bell without feeding the dog, and the dog salivated at the sound of the bell. Pavlov had conditioned the dog to respond to the bell by salivating. Pavlov’s experiment served as the one of the cornerstones of behaviorism.

The food acted as an unconditioned stimulus to the dog, because food is something that a dog is naturally drawn to. Likewise, the salivation of the dog was an unconditioned response to that stimulus because food naturally causes a dog to salivate. But the sound of a bell doesn’t naturally cause a dog to salivate, so the bell acted as a conditioned stimulus and the salivation at the sound of the bell was a conditioned response.

Behavioral psychology uses this basic principle of conditioning to re-train people who suffer from psychological disorders, by re-training the conditioned responses people have toward specific conditioned stimuli.

Operant conditioning (sometimes called instrumental conditioning) operates through reward (for good behavior) and punishment (for bad behavior).

Therapeutic Techniques in Behavioral Psychology

Behavioral therapy is effective in treating people with phobias or obsessive behaviors. It is also useful in organizational psychology when employees need to be retrained to enhance their performance. Perhaps its most useful purpose is in correcting behavioral problems in children and young adults, particularly in those who are in trouble with the law.

Here are some common techniques used:

Chaining breaks a task down into its component parts and then teaches the simplest component first. Once a component is mastered, the client moves on to the next simplest component until it’s mastered.

Prompting uses visual or verbal prompts to trigger desired responses.

Shaping is the gradual alteration of bad behavior by rewarding any slight betterment of that behavior, gradually pulling that bad behavior toward the desired behavior.

Modeling is learning a new behavior by watching someone do it properly.

Systematic Desensitization is gradually exposing phobic patients to their phobias until they overcome them.

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology is the study of mental functions like learning, attention, memory, reasoning, conceptual development, language acquisition, perception and decision-making. The main focus of cognitive psychology is in researching the acquisition, processing and storing of information in the mind.

Cognitive psychology is primarily concerned with performing laboratory experiments and conducting scientific research, but this research has led to far-reaching applications within the field of psychology. The research on cognition led to the above-mentioned shift in the methodology used in psychotherapy from a strictly behaviorist-based orientation to a more balanced approach that includes cognitive therapy.

Related Reading : How to Become a Cognitive Psychologist

Cognitive psychologists also have had a profound influence on forensic psychology and the court system. Before the 1950s, courts in the US refused to include psychological research as evidence in trials, and psychologists weren’t allowed to testify as expert witnesses. But due to the persistence of cognitive psychologists in presented their research findings to politicians and judges, forensic psychology now plays a major role in the US court systems.

Cognitive psychologists have had a similar influence on the US military. The military formerly didn’t employ psychologists, but in the mid-twentieth century psychologists provided the military with useful research about the military’s hiring practices and the performance of military personnel under adverse environmental conditions (for example, the effects of fatigue and oxygen deprivation upon aviators), and the military now employs psychologists extensively.

Cognitive psychologists have played a major role in modern education. For example, metacognition — a concept created by cognitive psychologists and employed by modern educators — aids students in evaluating their personal knowledge and in applying strategies for improving their knowledge in their weakest school subjects.

Cognitive psychologists have also provided schools with the hierarchical method of organizing information, which has proven to be beneficial in the classroom.

Related Reading

• 31 Jobs You Can Do With a Psychology Degree
• How to Become a Behavioral Psychologist
• How to Become a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist
• What Can You Do With a Behavioral Psychology Degree
• Difference Between Cognitive Psychology and Clinical Psychology
• Associate Degrees
• Bachelors Degrees
• Masters Degrees
• PhD Programs
• Addiction Counselor
• Criminal Psychologist
• Child Psychologist
• Family Therapist
• General Psychologist
• Health Psychologist
• Industrial-Organizational
• Sports Psychologist
• See More Careers
• Applied Psychology
• Business Psychology
• Child Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Industrial Psychology
• Sports Psychology
• See More Programs
• Clinical Psychology Degree
• Cognitive Psychology Degree
• Forensic Psychology Degree
• Health Psychology Degree
• Mental Counseling Degree
• Social Psychology Degree
• School Counseling Degree
• Behavioral Psychologist Career
• Clinical Psychologist Career
• Cognitive Psychologist Career
• Counseling Psychologist Career
• Forensic Psychologist Career
• School Psychologist Career
• Social Psychologist Career

B.A. in Psychology

Applied vs Experimental Psychology: What’s the Difference?

Psychological disciplines include abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology, and social psychology, along with dozens of other fields and specialties. However, you can separate these fields into two basic types of psychology: applied and experimental. Here is a look at the two types and common career paths for each.

Applied Psychology

What is applied psychology.

Applied psychology uses psychological methods and findings (experimental psychology) to solve problems of the human experience. It is nearly impossible to develop a precise definition for “applied psychology” due to the sheer scope of the term. Findings are applied in fields such as clinical psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, sports psychology, and social psychology — nearly every psychological discipline. Unless the field is exclusively research-based, applied psychology is involved.

An example of the breadth of applied psychology is the  non-exhaustive sample of topics  deemed appropriate for the  Journal of Applied Psychology , which includes:

• individual differences in abilities, personality, and other characteristics
• performance measurement and management
• training, learning, and skill acquisition
• career development
• work-family interface
• work stress, health, and well-being
• creativity, innovation, and adaptation
• organizational culture and climate

Sample Careers in Applied Psychology

Psychologists.

Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors. Many kinds of psychologists work within applied psychology. For instance, school psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to education disorders and developmental disorders.

Research may still be an aspect of the role. Psychologists often  gather information and perform research , and whether they are considered as being within applied or experimental psychology will depend on the primary focus of their work.

One example is the field of industrial-organizational psychology, which focuses on the workplace, using psychological principles, and research methods to solve problems and improve the quality of work life. Psychologists in this field could be considered on the side of applied or experimental psychology depending on the extent of any research they perform. One industrial-organizational psychologist may work with business on applying best practices into the workplace while another may be actually conducting that research.

Psychologists typically need a doctoral degree, according to the BLS. The median annual wage for psychologists is $79,010, and employment is projected to grow 14% through 2026.

Mental Health Counselors

Mental health counselors, along with related careers like  marriage and family therapists  and  school and career counselors , work within applied psychology. Mental health counselors help people facing grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, suicidal thoughts, and a variety of conditions. They help clients with a wide variety of mental and emotional health issues and relationship problems.

Often, mental health counselors perform the following tasks:

• Evaluate clients’ mental and physical health and assess their readiness for treatment
• Develop and oversee treatment goals and plans with clients
• Help clients work on the necessary skills and behaviors to face relevant issues
• Refer clients to other resources and services, such as support groups
• Conduct outreach programs to help people identify the signs of destructive behavior

Mental health counselors use certain approaches and theories to help clients. One popular approach is to combine behavioral therapy and cognitive theory to treat a number of illnesses such as anxiety, eating, personality, and substance abuse disorders.

Mental health counselors need a master’s degree and, depending on the state, 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. The BLS groups mental health counselors with substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors; the median annual wage for all three careers is  $44,630 , and employment is projected to grow 23% through 2026.

Experimental Psychology

What is experimental psychology.

Experimental psychology seeks to explore and better understand behavior through empirical research methods. This work allows findings to be employed (applied psychology) in real-world applications across fields such as clinical psychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology, sports psychology, and social psychology.

This area of psychology is able to shed light on people’s personalities and life experiences by examining what the way people behave and how behavior is shaped throughout life, along with other theoretical questions. The field looks at  a wide range of behavioral topics  that includes sensation, perception, attention, memory, cognition, and emotion, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).

Research is the focus of experimental psychology. Using scientific methods to collect data and perform research, experimental psychology focuses on certain questions, and, one study at a time, reveals information that contributions to larger findings or a conclusion. Due to the breadth and depth of certain areas of study, researchers can spend their entire careers looking at a complex research question.

Careers in Experimental Psychology

Experimental psychology careers are slightly more difficult to define compared to those in applied psychology. Applied psychology is seen as a broad field in which there are distinct subfields where practitioners may work, such as clinical mental health counseling. However, experimental psychology is typically seen as a field of its own. There are plenty of psychological specialties where experimental psychologists can work — research-focused positions are available in the vast majority of specialties and across industries — but the designation often remains the same: “experimental psychologist.”

“The  exact type of research  an experimental psychologist performs may depend on a number of factors, including his or her educational background, interests and area of employment,” according to the APA. “Often, psychologists with training in experimental psychology contribute across subfields, using scientific research to provide insights that improve teaching and learning, create safer workplaces, and promote healthy child development, to list a few examples. Those who work in academia often teach psychology courses in addition to performing research and publishing their findings in psychological journals.”

Regardless of the title, there are a wide variety of career opportunities in experimental psychology. One individual may be called an experimental psychologist and study memory, one professional may engage in research-based studies as an industrial-organizational psychologist, another may perform research and be a professor, and a final person may hold a completely different title (e.g., product user researcher) and conduct research that ultimately helps design consumer products.

Explore the Different Types of Psychology

Having a strong understanding of the various disciplines of psychology can help you excel in a variety of careers. With the  online bachelor’s degree in psychology program  from Concordia University, St. Paul, you can gain more insight into the differences between applied and experimental psychology so that you can find the right career path for you. Our program offers small class sizes, the ability to learn from experienced faculty, and the flexibility to study when it’s most convenient.

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, cognitive science vs cognitive psychology: what's the difference.

I'm interested in studying the mind and brain, but I'm not sure if I should choose cognitive science or cognitive psychology as my major. Can anyone explain the differences between the two and what types of careers they might lead to?

The main difference between cognitive science and cognitive psychology is the scope of study and the interdisciplinary nature of the respective fields. Cognitive science is a broader, interdisciplinary field that encompasses various disciplines like psychology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, and anthropology, all working together to study the mind and its processes. The focus of cognitive science is on understanding how cognitive processes work, including perception, memory, decision-making, and learning, often using computational models and theories.

On the other hand, cognitive psychology is a subfield of psychology that focuses on the mental processes involved in learning, memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and related areas. The field of cognitive psychology mainly utilizes experimental methods, such as laboratory studies, to investigate human cognition. Therefore, cognitive psychology is a more specialized field within the broader cognitive science umbrella.

In terms of career paths, cognitive science can lead to a wider range of opportunities due to its interdisciplinary nature. Graduates in cognitive science may find careers in academia and research, working on projects that involve artificial intelligence, linguistics, neuroscience, and human-computer interaction. Opportunities are also available in tech industries, designing products and systems that require an understanding of human cognition and perception, such as user experience (UX) design.

Cognitive psychology graduates, meanwhile, tend to follow more traditional psychology career paths. They may work in academia, research, or clinical settings, focusing on improving psychological well-being by understanding and enhancing cognitive processes. Career options could include educational or clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist, research psychologist, or even market research analyst, among others.

When choosing between these two majors, consider whether you are more interested in an interdisciplinary approach to studying the mind or if you want to focus on the psychological aspect of cognition. Additionally, think about your desired career path, and how either major might be more suitable for preparing you for that particular field.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.