PSYC 3580 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Long-Term Memory, American Psychological Association, Wilhelm Wundt
Document Summary
Study of cognition (mental activity) traced to: wilhelm wundt (father of the discipline of psychology) 2)early research about memory: william james" theories about cognitive processes. Cognitive psychological is part of interdisciplinary area called cognitive science. Cognition: acquisition, storage, transformation, and use of knowledge. Two meanings of cognitive psychology: synonym for cognition (refers to variety of mental processes such as perception, memory, imagery, language, problem solving, reasoning, decision making, etc, particular theoretical approach to psychology. Cognitive approach: theoretical orientation that emphasizes people"s thought processes and knowledge. Often contrasted with other approaches (behaviourist: observable behaviours, psychodynamic: unconscious emotions) Example from clinical psychology: when asked to describe a specific memory, people who are depressed tend to not give very detailed responses; not depressed, extended memory lasting more than one day. Cognitive approach origins trace to classical greek philosophy and developments that began in 19th century but contemporary version emerged in the last 60 years.
