Cognitive Psychology: Understanding the Human Mind and Information Processing

This report delves into the field of cognitive psychology, exploring the mental processes involved in attention, memory, language use, perception, problem solving, and more. It discusses the comparison between the human mind and a computer in terms of information processing. The report also examines the reasons behind forgetting information and the theories that explain it. Additionally, it explores hierarchical and spreading activation models and their role in understanding memory. Overall, the report provides a comprehensive understanding of cognitive psychology and its impact on human behavior.

Cognitive Psychology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 (a) ......................................................................................................................................3
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................3
Content...................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion .............................................................................................................................4
TASK 1 (b) .....................................................................................................................................4
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................4
Content...................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion .............................................................................................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................7
Content ..................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
Introduction..........................................................................................................................10
Content.................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion............................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Cognitive psychology refers to the scientific study related to the mental process which
includes attention, memory, language use, perception, problem solving, thinking, creativity and
many more. This type of psychology mainly emphasize on the method where people usually
process all the information in their mind (Cavaletti and Heimann, 2020). This is one of the most
essential brand of psychology which consist of all the activities related to mental process. In the
present report, questions related to the human psychological nature are going to be covered
which help in developing understanding and knowledge of individuals. In this report, three task
are there going to be discussed in detail manner along with the process and its influence on
human mind and body. It includes discussion about human mind which is considered as
computer.
TASK 1 (a)
Introduction
This is the first section of task one which includes discussion about how mind process the
information in an effective manner. Different authors and investigators have their view point on
the statement about human mind is like computer. It also includes the way brain as well as
computer process the information can be similar or not. This report and discussion help in
developing understanding and knowledge of individuals related to human mind and the process
of saving information in their human mind.
Content
Information processing method define as the approach which is used to effectively study
the cognitive development which is generated out of American experimental tradition in the field
of psychology. It has been identified that this is the theory which is based on thought that the

humans process of the information they are receiving gain and evaluate by mind and are merely
responding with stimuli (Gibbor and et.al., 2020). This is the perspective which equates that the
mind acts as a computer usually responsible for examining the information and data from the
surroundings. This model includes three stages which help in attaining the information
processing in an effective manner. The Atkinson–Shiffrin model which is also known as multi-
store model or modal model which was developed in the year 1968 by Richard Atkinson along
with Richard Shiffrin. This is the model which asserts that the human memory having three
separate elements which are a sensory register, short term and long term store. In context of
sensory register, it is said that this the element in which all the information enters into the
memory. In the next element, which is short-term store which is also known as working memory
as well as short-term memory, which gain and holds the input from both sensory register along
with the long-term store (Grzyb and Vigliocco, 2020). At last, in the third element, information
has been rehearsed in the short-term store is held indefinitely.
Conclusion
It has been identified that Atkinson and Shiffrin model is one of the most effective method
which have three separate components. This model help in understanding the way in which
whole procedure of information which will aid in identifying the effective method.
TASK 1 (b)
Introduction
The second section of task one define the issues and reasons that how human mind forget
information similarly the way computer system losses information and data. This discussion help
in improving the knowledge and understanding of individual related to the issues how
individuals forget information which is installed in their mind. There are various reasons which
affect the human mind which leads to forget some sort of information.
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Content
Memories, information and stored data might be encoded poorly as well as fade with time.
It is said that the storage as well as recovery procedure of the information is not flawless. In
addition to this, it has also been analysed that memories and information are not static which is
remember on the basis of events and the variables included in it. It has been concluded that there
are different sort of theories which address that why human mind forget information and
memories over a period of time. It has been said that one of the biggest issue people forget things
is that at the current situation each and every person emphasize on understanding things rather
than remembering them (Kristjánsson and Egeth, 2020). This help in understanding the thing for
short duration but in long run people forget those details and information. Therefore, the biggest
issues lies in the living standard of people which affect them in their long run. On the other hand,
another biggest reason due to which individuals forget are the age factor and some sort of
diseases they are suffering from. Because of the age factor people often forget some essential
things just like computer system. In relation to computers due to the old parts of their system,
information and data gets affected in an adverse manner. Similarly in case of human being, due
to getting old after some duration people often forget to remember basic things which create
negative impact on their living hood. Apart from this another reason can be considered in
memory or information loss is people are suffering from some kind of mental illness and health
issues.
All the process of getting things or information forget by individuals, there are ample
number of theories and frameworks used to increase the knowledge as well as understanding

related to the same topic (Mack, 2020). Some of factors and theories which show how a person
mind forget information related to how computer loses information are given below:-
Trace Decay Theory
According to the theory of Trace Decay, it has been identified that all the information,
data, memories as well as visuals fade automatically over the period of time. Under the theory of
Trace, individual need to follow a specific pathway in order to regain those memories. In
addition to this, it is said that if the pathway goes unused for specific duration of time, memories
decays which will be difficult in recalling. Therefore it becomes essential to follow the whole
process in an effective manner and systematic way.
Interference Theory
Another theory related to information and memory are interference theory, according to
which it is examined that it becomes easy to remember some recent events rather than of past
events. In addition to this, Transience define as the general deterioration of some particular
memory over a period of time (Olsson-Collentine, Wicherts and van Assen,2020). According to
the theory, it is said that transience arise due to all memories interfere with the capability to
recall different memories. Along with this, proactive as well as retroactive interference highly
influence how well individuals recall the memories whereas sometimes forget some information
permanently.
Mental overcrowding
According to this factor it is generally occur when there is too many inputs are going
inside the mind at one time inside the mind suppress learning and remembering. It is so it is say
that a person must focus on single work not multi tasking as it leads to situation where no work
is accomplish properly. It is similarly take place when a person give too much commands to
computer as well as due to it there is loss of information.
Under learning
This situation generally take place when a person learn any concept not properly or under
learn any concept. Due to this under learned situation an individual not able to store information
in mind for long term which leads to forgetting of information. Similarly take place in computer
when a person save any information by providing in appropriate or half command.
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Conclusion
With the assistance of above stated information, it is concluded that human body and mind
is usually considered similar to the computer system. Just like our mind store information and
data, computer store huge data in its memory. But on the other hand, it has also been identified
that due to some reasons they forget some information as in case of computer system there might
be issue in their machines. Whereas in reference to human mind, due to some health problems or
age issue such sort of problems arise and affect the human mind in an adverse manner.
TASK 2
Introduction
Second task of the report consist of description about hierarchical and spreading
activation models which assist in understanding the overall concept in an effective and
appropriate manner (Scott, 2020). Network models related to human memory help in maintaining
that nodes within the memory network mainly represented within a hierarchical fashion whereas
that that activation also spreads among hierarchical fashion which is from the node to
immediately lower node as well as then to node which is still lower in the hierarchy. The
discussion about hierarchical and spreading activation models help in improving the knowledge
and understanding of learners related to the topic.
Content
Hierarchical and spreading activation models are two different sort of framework help in
understanding the basic concept of maintaining memory nodes. I it has been identified that
network models of human memory help in maintaining nodes within the memory network which
are usually presented in the hierarchical fashion. In reference to hierarchical model, it is said that
words are usually organised hierarchically in such a form where some elements stand above
whereas some elements stand below. It is said that there is a regular hierarchical relationship
between the nodes of network where relationship between these hierarchies consist of
hyponymy, hypernymy, coordination, taxanomy as well as attributive (Scott, 2020). Apart from
Collins & Quillian’s hierarchical network model, spreading activation theory defines that long-
term memory consist of some interconnected units of data and information. It has been analysed
that these are the connections which are usually produced an associations among the units or
pathways which assist in controlling how a person going to retrieve information.

Whereas it is said according to Collins & Quillian that the connections between these two
are usually based on logic or set-subset relationships, Collins & Loftus define that connections
are between these two are based on the personal experience which are not required to be logical.
They both are contrasting their opinions which can be understood with the assistance of some
sort of additional features related to spreading activation model. These elements and features are
going to be discussed in detail manner as follows:
1. Concepts as well as properties are mainly treated equally with the thought that each of them
can easily and directly be assessed. In reference to Collins and Quillian, it has been identified
that properties contained within the concept categories:
2. In addition to this, it has also been identified that not only properties are linked to the
concepts, but also linked and associated with other properties (Whitehouse, 2020). Each and
every property are commonly linked with some categories.
3. Furthermore, links among units of data and information are vary in the length. It is said that
the longer the line among the two units, the degree of association get weaker between them.
Difference between Hierarchical and spreading activation models
Network models of human memory maintain those nodes within the memory which are
represented or described in a hierarchal order and also that activation spreads within a hierarchal
network from a lower node to the node that is high in the hierarchy. Due to increase in the use of
artificial intelligence, classification of text is one if the staggering activity to attain. In human
terms, artificial intelligence is basically the field that tries to attain human like intelligent models
in order to ease tasks. With the assistance of hierarchal activation models, humans are able to
categorised the task and used those words that is significant and represent important things only.
In addition to this, the hierarchal model is mainly a database model and is conceived as a flexible
manner of showing objects along with its relationship. It is stated that what the human thinks is
mainly divides into two parts that is set and subsets. In the first set, the thing that human needs to
do once at a time remains and then remove out from the mind and in the second part, what
human require to learnt and recognise for long time is involved.
Spreading activation model are mainly used within the cognitive psychology to model the
out effect. In addition to this, it can also be applied in order to retrieve information by means of
networking of nodes representing terms and documents involved in those documents. Moreover,
it is basically the theory of how brain of a human iterates a network of related ideas to retrieve
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particular information (Zmigrod, Rentfrow and Robbins, 2020). It is mainly a model of working
memory that is also known as short- term memory which shows how mind process related ides
and especially verbal and semantic concepts. As per this model, semantic long-term involved of
interrelated network of concepts. When an individual is representing with any concept, it is
closely related to it are activated in person’s mind and preparing her or him to recall data
associated to the particular concept. Moreover, spreading activation model shows that each
semantic concept has node within the neural network which is activated at a same time as the
nodes for related concepts (Zmigrod, Rentfrow and Robbins, 2020). According to this model, it
is stated that stronger the connection among ideas the more rapidly an individual is able to recall
or recognise relevant information. Furthermore, such concept is vary greatly from individual to
individual but is not necessarily useful for predicting how an individual will respond to any
given task.
In addition to this, through above analysis it can be determined that there is wide
difference among the hierarchical activation model and spreading activation model, that is
essential to understand because through that effective storage of information can be done
according to requirement. In respect of spreading activation model a person can conduct
modification in proper way because it is based on the requirement of different phases whereas
the hierarchical activation model it is not possible as in that there are two many stages need to
follow. Another major difference in both aspects is that there is wide difference among the
hierarchical activation model as well as spreading activation model as in hierarchical activation
model is comparative more systematic as in this all stages are connected in the sequence manner.
On the other hand spreading activation model is bit complicated as well as difficult to understand
as in this elements are connect in improper way. Moreover hierarchical activation model is
flexible in nature whereas spreading activation model is not which also make wide difference in
both the models. So it is essential for a person to understand both spreading activation model
and hierarchical activation model in order to store information in proper way according to
requirement.
Conclusion
With the assistance of above stated analysis, it has been identified that hierarchical and
spreading activation models help individuals in order to develop knowledge and enhance the
memory and information for a longer duration of time. In addition to this, it has also been said

that the meaning of spreading activation is that people usually remember all the past experiences
in a systematic manner with the help of events happened in their life. This assist them to
remember each and every event in an effective manner for a longer duration of time period.
TASK 3
Introduction
The third part of this report is based on the truth about walkers. This is a most common tool
used by each and every parent all over the world for new born or infants. But on the other hand,
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourage the usage of walkers for infants as they says
that it will slower down the development of walking in individuals. These discussions are going
to be covered in this section which consist of both positive and negative aspects of the topic.
Content
Parents use different methods in order to teach their child that how to walk or move from
one place to another such as holding hand of child and help them in moving from one place to
another place, walker of baby and many more. Baby walker is considered as device which used
by a infant in order to learn walk on their own. Through this baby mainly learn how to move
from one place to another in effective manner. In current time baby walker also help baby in
toddlers. It is mainly made up of hard plastic sitting on top of wheels as well as it also include
suspended fabric seat which have two leg holes. In addition to this, parents may adopt different
walk toys which is similar to holding hand of child and help them in moving from one place to
another. According to the criteria of baby walking, it is determined that the baby likely to take
their first step in between age of 9 to 15 months as before it they know how to stand as well as
cruise things like furniture. After learning all these things child started standing which slowly
leads to taking foot steps or walking. In respect of this it is essential to hold baby arms out as
well as spread their legs for the balance and in this it is essential point baby knees out as well as
toes in or out. In addition to this, in criteria there are several signs which show that baby will
start walking such as they pull up to stand, becoming daring adventurer for standing, cruising
around, walking with assistance and so on. In this whole process there are several pre request
which required so that baby learn walking in proper manner.
This will include baby walker, which is mostly used by a parents in order to teach their
child that how to walk in proper manner. Moreover, there are numbers of pre request required
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when an infant started walking and standing, in this main requirement is of walker as that help
child in learning how to stand independently and walk properly. In current time around the world
almost all parents use walker in order to enhance their child learning related to standing and
walking. In addition to this, by walker a child able to learn how to swing, lift and it also help
them in maintaining appropriate position of leg so that they can step properly for walking.
But according to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) it is not appropriate that parents use
walker in order to teach their child walking as there are several alternatives such as playpens,
natural walking, activity centres, baby jumper, baby bouncers and many more. Moreover there
are several advantages as well as disadvantages of walkers which impact on the decision making
of parent. The advantages of walker which encourage parent to use walker for their baby are
such as it boost child's sense of independence, parent get more time for other activities at home,
produces entertainment as well as fun for little one and it is also believe that walker didn't
stimulate ability of child walk. But there are several disadvantages of walker due to which AAP
recommend parents to not use walker for their child such as due to walker child can be roll down
the stairs which cause broken bones as well as sever head injuries (Baby Walkers: A Dangerous
Choice, 2020). Along with this there are several other aspects which are disadvantages of walker
such as it leads to burned situation as child can pull tablecloth due to which hot coffee, milk or
any pot can fall of child. Due to this type of dangerous situation AAP suggest or recommend
parent to not use walker as it also slow down the walking of child.
Conclusion
By conducting analysis of above mentioned topic it can be summarised that in order to
teach walking to a child, walker plays an essential role as that help them in learning how to walk
in proper manner by themselves. But according to research conducted by AAP (American
Academy of Pediatrics) parent must discourages the usage of walker as according to them walker
mainly slow down walk of baby development. In addition to this they also tell that walker is also
extremely dangerous for children as in very year thousand of cases registered at the hospital.
Due to this Canada banded the sale of walker in nation as well as AAP is recommending same to
the United State.

CONCLUSION
With the assistance of above stated information, it has been concluded that cognitive
psychology is one of the most effective and essential branch which is related with mental
process. In addition to this, it has also been said that computer is a man-made machine which can
be repaired if not working properly but in case if human being it is said that the process of
repairing requires lot of time as well as efforts. Along with this, it has also been identified that
human beings in the present era are highly dependent on technologies which as a result affect
their overall mental health and process.
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REFERENCES
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Online
Baby Walkers: A Dangerous Choice. 2020. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/
Baby-Walkers-A-Dangerous-Choice.aspx>.