Cognitive psychology is the study of mental processes such as perception, thinking, learning, and memory. It examines how information is processed in the brain from sensory input through behavior. Key developments include William James and Carl Lang theorizing that physiological reactions precede emotions, and George Miller describing the brain as analogous to a computer. Cognitive therapy was developed in the 1950s-70s and is now one of the most common psychotherapy approaches. Applications include understanding abnormal psychology and developing effective learning techniques. While science aims for objectivity, subjective perceptions also influence our experience of reality and determine our health and happiness.

1. Cognitive Psychology
E. Kent Rogers

2. Definition:
• Marriam-Webster: a branch of psychology
concerned with mental processes (as
perception, thinking, learning, and memory)
especially with respect to the internal events
occurring between sensory stimulation and the
overt expression of behavior.
• APA: The study of higher mental processes
such as attention, language use, memory,
perception, problem solving, and thinking.

5. History of Cognitive Psychology
• The role of mind and mental processes in
human beings has been a topic of philosophy
since long, long ago.
• One idea of cognitive psychology is that
mental processes are internal behaviors
• “If you lust, you already committed adultery”
“If you are angry at your brother for no
reason, you are subject to judgment [of
murder]” (Matthew 5:21-28)

6. History cont.
• William James (US)
and Carl Lang (Den)
simultaneously and
independently theor-
ized that physiological
reaction to perception
precedes emotional ident-
ification (body trembles, then mind feels fear).

7. • 1940’s: Research and philosophy in the field
of information processing and technology
concerning how information is received and
then encoded through processes influenced
thought
• American psychologists latched onto these
ideas and rejected behaviorism

8. History cont.
• 1950’s:Naom Chomsky
proposes that humans are
capable of language not
through learning alone,
but because there are
genetic programs and
Brain structures that process and organize lang-
age. He wanted to undermine behaviorism.

9. History of Cognitive Psychology
• 1958: Donald Broadbent states sensory input
filtered by attention. Lack of attention = lack
of awareness and memory of stimuli.
• 1960: George Miller’s book “Plans and the
Structure of Behavior” describes brain as
parallel to computer, receiving and encoding
data through a series of processes and then
decoding them for output. Still a very
influential idea.

10. History cont.
• 1967: US psychologist, Ulric Neisser uses term
“Cognitive Psychology” for the first time and
describes it as involved in everything we do and
in general, all the mental processes from sensory
input, processing, recall through to behavior.
• The field exploded after this investigating how
the brain perceives, processes, encodes, stores,
retrieves, understands and communicates
information as well as the relationship between
emotions and thought.

11. Applications
• One major application is understanding how
the brain works and segues with
neuroscience. The value is helping us
understand what goes wrong in those with
abnormal thoughts, behaviors and psychology.
• It also helps us to know how to learn more
effectively and so teach more effectively

12. Applications
• Cognitive Therapy is another important
application. In the 1950’s (and further
developed until the 1970’s) Aaron Beck and
Albert Ellis simultaneously and independently
realized that the way we think alters the way
we feel and by rejecting depressed or anxious
thoughts we will grow less depressed and
anxious.

13. Cognitive Therapy cont.
• This therapy has been proven about as
effective as anti-depressant drugs and the two
together have even greater results.
• Cognitive therapy is the most common form of
psychotherapy practiced today.
Albert Ellis
Aaron T. Beck

14. A Deep Thought
• It has been shown that pessimists have a “more
accurate” perception of reality as measured by
objective measuring devices. However,
ultimately, reality comes down to subjective
perceptions. If I think there is more water than
what a measuring device reveals, I will feel more
refreshed and satisfied than the pessimist. So
why do we insist on basing our determination of
what reality is on what is congruent with
pessimism, i.e. science, rather than choosing that
which makes us happy.

15. A Deep Thought cont.
• Those who have faith in God have been shown
to be happier and healthier on average than
those without faith. The science-alone basis
for understanding reality therefore leads to
diminished health and happiness. So why is
this more accurate and “better.”
• In other words what we believe determines
what is true for us and even what we perceive.

16. Closing Thought
To a significant degree,
you choose what is
real for you, so choose
well.