What Is Cognitive Psychology?

What Is Cognitive Psychology? identifies the theoretical foundations of cognitive psychology—foundations which have received very little attention in modern textbooks. Beginning with the basics of information processing, Michael R. W. Dawson explores what experimental psychologists infer about these processes and considers what scientific explanations are required when we assume cognition is rule-governed symbol manipulation. From these foundations, psychologists can identify the architecture of cognition and better understand its role in debates about its true nature. This volume offers a deeper understanding of cognitive psychology and presents ideas for integrating traditional cognitive psychology with more modern fields like cognitive neuroscience. Presents a critical analysis of the theoretical foundations of cognitive psychology. To answer the question of what cognitive psychology is, one must first understand its theoretical foundationsfoundations that often receive little attention in modern textbooks. Michael Dawson seeks to address this oversight by exploring the essential principles that have established and guided this unique field of psychological study. Beginning with the basics of information processing, Dawson explores what experimental psychologists infer about these processes and considers what scientific explanations are required when we assume cognition is rule-governed symbol manipulation. From these foundations, psychologists can identify the architecture of cognition and better understand its role in debates about its true nature. What is Cognitive Science? asks questions that will engage both students and researchers, Do we need the computer metaphor? Must we assume thinking involves mental representations? Do machinesor peopleor brainsactually think? What is the cognitive in cognitive neuroscience and where is the mind? By establishing cognitive psychologys foundational assumptions in its early chapters, this book places the reader in a position to critically evaluate such questions. "In this thought-provoking book, Michael Dawson identifies the theoretical foundations of cognitive psychology--foundations which have received very little attention in modern textbooks. Beginning with the basics of information processing, Dawson explores what experimental psychologists infer about these processes, and considers what scientific explanations are required when we assume cognition is rule-governed symbol manipulation. From these foundations, psychologists can identify the architecture of cognition and better understand its role in debates about its true nature. This volume offers a deeper understanding of cognitive psychology and presents ideas for integrating traditional cognitive psychology with more modern fields like cognitive neuroscience."-- Provided by publisher What Is Cognitive Psychology? identifies the theoretical foundations of cognitive psychology beginning with the basics of information processing. From these foundations, psychologists can identify the architecture of cognition to understand its role in debates about its true nature