What is the information processing approach?

The information processing approach views cognition as a series of computational steps, similar to how a computer processes data through input, storage, and output.

What is the difference between attention and perception?

Attention is the process of focusing cognitive resources on specific information. Perception is the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.

What are heuristics and how do they affect decision-making?

Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that allow people to make decisions quickly. While efficient, they can lead to biases (e.g., availability heuristic, representativeness heuristic).

What is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis proposes that language influences or determines the way we think (linguistic relativity).

Cognitive Psychology: Mind, Brain & Information Processing

1Introduction

Picture This

Reading a book while ignoring background noise, recognizing a friend in a crowd, solving a puzzle — all involve cognitive processes.

Cognitive psychology studies mental processes: how people perceive, remember, think, speak, and solve problems.

2Key Concepts

Information Processing

Mind as computer: input, processing, output.

Schema

Mental framework for organizing knowledge.

3Attention

Selective attention: Focusing on one input while ignoring others. Broadbents Filter Model: Early selection based on physical characteristics.

Inattentional Blindness

Failure to notice unexpected object when attention is engaged on another task (e.g., invisible gorilla study).

Working memory: Active processing of limited information. Long-term memory: Virtually unlimited storage. Baddeleys model: Central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, episodic buffer.

5Language

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Language influences thought (linguistic relativity). Chomskys Universal Grammar: Innate language acquisition device.

6Problem-Solving

Functional Fixedness

Cannot see alternative uses for objects.

Mental Set

Tendency to use familiar strategies.

Algorithms

Step-by-step guaranteed solution.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts, not guaranteed.

7Decision-Making

Availability Heuristic

Judge by ease of recall.

Representativeness

Judge by typicality.

Anchoring

Rely on first piece of info.

Framing

Influenced by how info is presented.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the information processing approach?: The information processing approach views cognition as a series of computational steps, similar to how a computer processes data through input, storage, and output.
What is the difference between attention and perception?: Attention is the process of focusing cognitive resources on specific information. Perception is the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.
What are heuristics and how do they affect decision-making?: Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that allow people to make decisions quickly. While efficient, they can lead to biases (e.g., availability heuristic, representativeness heuristic).
What is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?: The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis proposes that language influences or determines the way we think (linguistic relativity).
What is functional fixedness?: Functional fixedness is the inability to see an object as having a function other than its typical use, a problem-solving obstacle.

Practice Quiz

Test your understanding — select the correct answer for each question.

1.Which theoretical framework likens the human mind to a computer, processing information through a series of sequential stages?

2.The "Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two" refers to the limited capacity of which memory system?

3.According to Broadbents Filter Model, unattended information is filtered out based on its:

4.Which of the following is an example of an implicit memory?

5.The tendency to overestimate the likelihood of events that are easily recalled from memory is known as the:

6.Patient H.M. suffered from severe anterograde amnesia due to damage to his:

7.Which concept describes the failure to notice a fully visible, but unexpected, object or event when attention is engaged on another task?

8.The idea that the language we speak influences or even determines the way we think is known as the:

9.Which problem-solving obstacle involves the inability to see an object as having a function other than its typical one?

10.In Baddeleys Working Memory Model, the component responsible for integrating information from other slave systems and long-term memory is the:

Study Tips

Connect to memory: Cognitive psychology builds on memory research.
Understand attention limits: We cannot attend to everything simultaneously.
Know the heuristics: Understand how they lead to biases.
Apply to real life: Notice cognitive processes in daily decisions.

Cognitive Psychology