Cognitive psychology. Cognitive Processes - Research Paper Example

? Cognitive Processes s Cognitive Processes Introduction According to Robinson-Riegler and Robinson-Riegler (2008), learning is a natural task carried out by humans to facilitate better and more fulfilling life development. In general, human beings learn through, observation or even through other classical methods. Humans learn how to adapt to specific disciplines as well as how to ignore some unnecessary responsive stimulus though classical methods. However, in applying the available learning methods, human beings must pass through a comprehensive cognitive process. There are several types of stimulus or cognitive processes common in human growth and development. Different people employ the available cognitive processes at different times in their life time. The identification of the common cognitive processes as well as their purpose in human development is exceptionally decisive in facilitating the understanding of human cognitive development. Common Cognitive Processes By referring to Robinson-Riegler and Robinson-Riegler (2008), the first main cognitive process is perception. Perception entails the front-end process which helps in the organization and interpretation of the received information. Perception is usually based on auditory information as well as visual information. Perception is acquired through observation and listening to the emerging information, as well as organization of the received information in human mind. The second main cognitive stage is identification process. Although this process is vastly overlooked, it is one of the most critical processes in human cognitive development and human survival. The identification process helps an individual to swiftly (with limited thinking) recognize and categorize emerging information based on past experiences. Speedy identification is however perceived to have a genetic component, which is passed from one generation to another. The third common cognitive process entails memory distortion. This process occurs when one’s memory fails to remember past incidences and experiences. The Purpose of the three Common Cognitive Processes Perception process As stated by Hockenbury and Hockenbury (2007), the core purpose of cognitive process is to facilitate communication or transmission of information from one person to another or from one part of the body to another. The main purpose of perception in cognitive process is to facilitate the integration, interpretation, and organization of the emerging sensation. Perception entails the detection of emerging environmental factors such as sounds, smell, and color. Identification and classification process Identification and classification process has to do with immediate recognition of emerging circumstances. The process helps in enhancing the survival as well as the improving the capability of passing on fitness traits from one generation to the other. The capability for immediate identification and classification of mates, danger, threat, and prey is exceptionally vital in facilitating survival as well as in procreation process. Human beings and other organisms that lack the capability of identifying and classifying emerging circumstances have very limited chances of surviving in a competitive environment. Memory distortion cognitive process Lastly, memory distortion cognitive process has to do with human memory frailty. It is sometimes incredibly easy to forget most of the cognitive functions that are taken for granted in individuals’ daily performance. Human beings also face a problem of forgetting some of the most critical cognitive functions necessary for future survival and development. As a result, memory distortion process serves as a by-product of the memory. Memory by-products play a considerable role in facilitating cognitive development as well as in advancing survival tactics. Peer-reviewed study and summary of the Selected Cognitive Process and the Research Methodologies Used Perception cognitive process The most effective study in explaining the role of perception in cognitive process is “The Influence of Memory on Perception: Not What Things Look Like, It’s What You Call Them”. Referring to the study, people perception on the worldly things is squarely based on their expectations. Human beings use perception to view and classify everything in the world including human beings. The study focuses on declarative memory on individual’s perception on colors and how this perception is influenced by cultural background. The study examined two groups of participants, the German and the Dutch to observe and identify whether the two groups have matching perception on similar colors. The study relied on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) method (Mitterer, Horschig, Musseler and Majid, 2009). In the study, the liquid crystal monitor created six different hues which ranged from orange to yellow colors. The study also used four pictures, carrots, traffic right, banana, and a sock. The research’s findings indicated that, declarative knowledge has an exceedingly crucial influence on perceptual decision. The researcher however suggested further study to provide more analysis and evaluation on the findings. According to the study findings, declarative knowledge has a greater impact on the manner in which people perceive the world in line with their expectation than perceptual knowledge. However, the study is blamed for utilizing only two sets of culture Identification and classification cognitive process The study, “Matching and Naming Objects by Shape or Function: Age and Context Effects in Preschool Children” is used to examine and analyze the identification and classification cognitive process. The study focused on preschoolers who were between the ages of three to four years (Deak, Ray and Pick, 2002).The participants were expected to match the objects with their functions and shapes. The participants were further requested to group objects according to their shapes or functions. The analysis of variance approach was used as the main method of examining and evaluating the prevailing differences between the participants. The study findings indicated that, children perception on functions and shapes were based on several environmental, biological, and social factors. The four year old participants were more effective in classifying objects according to their functions and shapes than the three year old participants. However, the children matching performance relied significantly on their maturity as well as their age and biological stage of development. The study has a limitation of reliance on young children. Memory distortion cognitive process Finally, memory distortion process was better explained by the study, “The Experimenter Effect and Eye Witness Identification in Criminal Cases”. The study analyzed the misidentification effect by eye witnesses in prosecution process. Incorrect identification in most cases leads to improper convictions and even conviction of an innocent suspect. Erroneous identification is in most cases brought about by perceptions, memory problem or other facets that affect observation ability. The researcher interviewed 40 prisoners to identify the validity and genuinely of their cases. Questionnaires were used to evaluate prisoners’ perception on their conviction. According to the study findings, it was clear that, the entire identification process is purely based on psychological contribution which relies on individuals’ memory capacity (Ziskin, 2010). Study summary and Conclusion Over the years, human beings have relied on various cognitive processes in their biological and social development. However, until the recent scientific discoveries on the importance of the various processes of cognition, people have always ignored the most essential cognitive processes that aid in human survival. The most essential cognitive process as expounded in the study entails identification and classification, perception and memory distortion process. Each cognitive process has a unique purpose necessary for human survival. Different scholars have undertaken various studies to examine and analyze the impact of the three main cognitive processes in human survival. From the study, it has been concluded that, people rely more on their declarative knowledge to perceive their worldly activity that are based on their culture. Additionally, children develop their ability to recognize objects through function maturity. Finally, the study has made it clear that, failure to recall past events can lead to death and other adverse life consequences. Humans and other animals are commonly known for employing various cognitive processes in their day to day activities and survival. However, the study on cognitive process is currently at its infancy stage and more researches are needed to facilitate the development of human knowledge on cognitive processes and in advancing life survival tactics. References Deak, G.O., Ray, S.D., & Pick, A.D. (2002). Matching and naming objects by shape or size: Age and context effects in preschool children. Developmental Psychology, 38(4), 503-518. Hockenbury, D.H. & Hockenbury, S.E. (2007). Discovering psychology (4th ed.). New York: Worth. Mitterer, H., Horschig, J.M., Musseler, J. & Majid, A. (2009). The influence of memory on perception: It’s not what things look like; it's what you call them. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 36(6), 1557-1562. Robinson-Riegler, G., & Robinson-Riegler, B. (2008). Cognitive psychology: Applying the science of the mind (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon Publishing Company. Ziskin, J. (2010,). The experimenter effect and eye witness identification in criminal cases. Professional Psychology journals, 1(4), 407-408. Read More