Cognitive science
It is a "multidisciplinary Science” because it consists of Cognitive psychology, Linguistic, Neuroscience, Artificial intelligence, Cognitive Anthropology, Computer Science and Philosophy.
It focuses on the study of “the intelligent behaviour of humans" which includes perception, learning, Memory, thoughts and language. It also makes use of naturalistic research methods such as cognitive neuroscience, cognitive neuropsychology, computational cognitive psychology, experimental cognitive psychology. The most “effective and efficient way to conduct investigation in cognitive science” is to "combine different approaches and methods together".
Major Approaches to Understanding Cognitive Processes
There are four main approaches to understanding "cognitive processes" and they are;
1) Cognitive Neuroscience is an approach to understanding "cognitive processes" that consists of “neurophysiology”, “brain functions" and “psychological related functions” and also there is the “computer based models.” In this approach, researches on a neuronal level were separated from researches done on a "cognitive or psychological level". In understanding or studying "the structure and function of specific areas of the brain" that is important in our "cognitive functioning and processes", psychologists now use "Neuroscience techniques" such as;
"Positron Emission Tomography" is when blood flow to specific areas of the brain is investigated by injecting participant with "radioactive chemicals" just before an individual performs a task.
"Functional Magnetic Resonance” is when "blood flow to various areas of the brain" is investigated in order to identify or recognize the kind of "cognitive processes" that we use in communicating with others.
Other techniques frequently used in Cognitive Neuroscience by investigators or researchers include;
“Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning” is a brain imaging technique that involves the process whereby an individual lies on a table and then an “x-ray beam” goes through his or her head.
“Electroencephalography (EEG)” is a brain imaging technique involving “the researcher or investigator recording from electrodes placed on the head in order to detect electrical signals or activities going on in the brain.”
“Magnetoencephalography (MEG)” is also a brain imaging techniques and as the name implies involves “the measurement of magnetic fields produced by electrical activities taking place in the brain.”
Strengths of Cognitive Neuroscience Approach in Understanding Cognitive Processes
Through the use of brain imaging techniques in "cognitive neuroscience" such as "positron emission tomography and Functional magnetic resonance imaging", it helps psychologists by providing information that will help in understanding "cognitive processes or mind processes".
It also helps investigators or researchers by assisting them in "corresponding the behaviour of a particular individual in an experiment with activities of the brain being measured or observed.”
Some other brain imagining techniques used in cognitive neuroscience approach such as magnetoencephalography are often used in clinical and research settings
Limitations of Cognitive Neuroscience Approach to Understanding Cognitive Processes.
A major challenge in the cognitive neuroscience approach is that some of "the brain imaging techniques used in investigating the structure and function of the brain that is important to individual functioning such as Functional magnetic resonance imaging only focus on the flow of blood in our brain and hence do not detect the activities of individual nerve cells or neurons which is very important or vital to our mental functioning".
In the cognitive neuroscience approach, it is also difficult to tell what kind of activities that is identified or shown on the scan due to the fact that the scan being used may indicate "different individual functioning."
2) Cognitive Neuropsychology is an approach to understanding "cognitive processes" which involves the combination of "neurology and psychology ". It is concerned majorly with how "brain damage or problem in a particular area of the brain may affect normal cognitive or mind functioning". They often study people with brain damages such as individuals with “stroke,” “epilepsy,” “brain tumour” and “seizure” to understand the areas of the brain that is affected and how it inhibits “normal cognitive or mind functioning” of these individuals due to its damage.
"For example; the patient who ignored objects on his left side and could only name or acknowledge objects that were on his right side was discovered to have damage in the parietal lobes". Major concepts often used in Cognitive Neuropsychology Approach include:
“Anatomical Modularity which proposed that each structure in the brain is recognized as part of the brain”
“Modularity which proposed that structures in the brain are working independently at all times”
“Substractivity suggested that when a part of the brain is damaged, it erases the function of the damaged part and new function cannot be added.”
Strength Of Cognitive Neuropsychology Approach To Understanding Cognitive Processes
This approach helps in understanding or knowing the effect of a damaged part of the brain on "cognitive or mind functioning" and the part of the brain responsible for that particular problem or disorder by "studying the effect" of the damaged part on the normal functioning of individuals experiencing it.
Limitations Of Cognitive Neuropsychology Approach in Understanding Cognitive Processes
"Since these investigations conducted in the cognitive neuropsychology approach involves studying people with brain injury or damage which has been performed on a limited number of subjects or individuals, therefore the statistical reliability might be low, thereby making these approach to understanding cognitive processes questionable
3) Experimental Cognitive Psychology is the approach to understanding cognitive processes that seeks to determine “the causal relationship and factors that influence human or individual behavior” based on the conclusions that are made during observations. Effects of changes are also studied when variables one at a time are changed.
“In experimental cognitive psychology approach, experiments should be interpreted or explained through theories that expresses mental representations and procedure, since this is an approach to cognitive processing that is primarily concerned with studying mental functions.”
There are two main types of experiments used in the experimental cognitive Psychology namely:
“Control field experiment is done on the field like the name implies, places such as schools, Banks.”
“Control Lab Experiment is done in a labouratory and not on the field”
Strength Of Experimental Cognitive Psychology in Understanding Cognitive Processes
The experimental cognitive psychology approach enables researchers or investigators to alter the manipulated factors in any way he or she chooses.
Also in the experimental cognitive psychology approach, methods developed and being used have been verified over time and results gotten are the foundations of many enhancements or developments that has contributed to the field of psychology.
Limitations of Experimental Cognitive Psychology Approach to Understanding Cognitive Processes
In the experimental cognitive psychology approach, some extraneous variables may not or cannot be controlled in experimental settings and thereby making the results obtained and analysed only valid in experimental settings and not in the real world.
The experimental cognitive psychology approach does not often take into considerations individual differences by generalizing their findings.
For example; IQ tests for different individuals varies when considering cultural dispensation and the nurture at which the individual exists, but in experiments conducted in the experimental cognitive psychology approach, this may not be considered.
4) Computational Cognitive Science: In the understanding of computational cognitive approach, the mind is often seen as a “machine” that controls our functioning such as perception, learning, sensations and so on.
“Many researchers feel that the birth of cognitive science occurred or started when scientists first compared the trace of a running computer program with the steps taken by a human solving the same problem (Newell & Simon, 1972).”
The computational models often compare our brain processes or functioning to that of an operating system (for example; computer), they often interpret “the human brain as information progressing through a system because it operates in stages (i.e. one step at a time).”
Computational Cognitive Science Approach can also be seen as” the computational basis of human learning and interface.” By combining “the computer simulation or stimulation,” “behavior experiment” and “mathematical modelling” in computational cognitive science approach, it helps the investigator or reasearcher to try and discover the logic or reason behind our everyday existence.
“Productction” and “Connectionist system” are also two major models often used in computational cognitive science approach.
Also some of the other researchers employing this approach proposed that “the brain can be understood as a sequence of discrete steps, in which information is transferred from one storage to another.”
Strength Of Computational Cognitive Science Approach In Understanding Cognitive Processes
In the computational cognitive science approach, researchers or investigators frequently employ this approach because it helps in predicting how we may function or react in certain situations. Also in computational cognitive science, you have to reason and think more before taking a decision or decision making.
Limitations Of Computational Cognitive Science Approach In Understanding Cognitive Processes
The computational cognitive science approach often fails to put into consideration “the physiological and affective domain “that limits the human brain. Therefore, this computational cognitive science approach is sometimes considered as an invalid approach to understanding cognitive processes.
In conclusion, we can say that all of the approaches used in understanding cognitive processes are important even if they all have their limitations or demerits but their strengths is what helps us in fully understanding and explaining cognitive processes.
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