Cognitive psychology is an area of study dedicated to understanding the mind via the
scientific method (Bernstein, 2018). In essence, cognitive psychology attempts to understand (1)
how the human mind responds to particular stimuli presented and (2) the relationship between
the mind and human behavior. Common subjects of study, scrutiny, and review in the field of
cognitive psychology include attention, remembering, problem-solving, reasoning, language
development, perception, and thinking (Bernstein, 2018). While there are many prominent topics
cognitive psychologists investigate, upon reflection on the media coverage on how the mind
responds upon being presented a particular stimuli, the author posits memory loss, depression,
accuracy of eyewitness testimony, and artificial intelligence as among the most salient topics of
interest to cognitive psychologists. This discussion post will briefly analyze each of these topics.
Memory Loss
In the West, there has been significant research done to reverse, limit and, stop memory
loss related to Alzheimer’s disease and age-related dementia. Cognitive psychologists continue to
carry out research to (1) test out the effectiveness of drugs in curing, limiting and putting an end
to memory decay and (2) access biological predispositions that predispose individuals to
cognitive impairment in the first place in hopes of allowing for early detection. For example, in a
recent study by North Western University, researchers appear to have successfully reverse
memory loss (i.e. increase one’s memory capacity) by stimulating the brain via deep electronic
impulses (Caine, 2019). The rationale behind such an inquiry relates to the fact that an
increasingly high number of individuals are experiencing such conditions – a phenomenon that
has been associated with disastrous psychological and economic burdens on individuals, their
families, and societies.
Depression
Another prominent subject in cognitive psychology is examining depression, a
challenging psychiatric disorder. For over four decades, cognitive psychologists have examined
how those with the disorder significantly differ from the thoughts of those without the disorder in
terms of thoughts, cognitive deficits and biases in information processing. The findings of such
studies have lead psychologists and other specialists in the mental health arena to begin offering
cognitive behavioral therapy as a treatment method for depressed individuals. Psychologists
continue to examine the cognitive aspects of depression, focusing on neural assessments to
elucidate the foundation of defects in cognitive control and emotional regulation among
depressed patients. The importance placed on depression is understandable given that the
disorder affects a staggering 20% of the population in the United States and has been associated
with severe adverse implications on an individual’s lifespan, incidence of life-altering diseases,
wellbeing, economic power, and social mobility, all of which are factors that cripple both the
individual and his community.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is often touted as science fiction but in the sphere of cognitive
psychology, it has long been taken seriously. There has been a robust debate among two camps
of cognitive scientists – those who prioritize the dangers associated with a strong and powerful
artificial intelligence agent and those who remain skeptical amount the possibility of creating a
human-level strong AI. This controversy still persist do this day. The immense focus on artificial
intelligence has generated significant technological tools that improve the lives of people (e.g. a
computer interface using AI can permit those with speech impediments to communicate, a biopsy
using AI that detects brain cancer, AI-led clinical tools to diagnose and treat mental health
conditions, etc.).
This discussion post will focus on four sections: (1) areas in which computers have an
advantage over the human brain, (2) areas in which the human brain have an advantage over
computers, (3) how the brain and computer compare in terms of complexity. Upon make this
cross-comparison, the author will reflect on why the author agrees with the idea that the brain is
analogous to a computer.
There are 6 main areas in which computers have an advantage over the human brain
include. First, computers are better at information processing and memory. While the frontal lobe
and human brain are sophisticated in carrying out operations on the information placed in
memory, the brain has adapted with immense difficulty to the challenge and is not very skilled in
doing so. It was only through writing that people were capable of processing information at a
very…
Secondly,
There are 6 areas in which the human brain has an advantage over computers. First, the
human brain has a higher ability to be creative than computers. Although computers have the
ability to generate musical pieces, analyze data to either verify or disprove a theory and combine
new themes together to form an altogether unique arrangement of ideas, they do not have the
ability to make an assessment on which ideas are worthwhile to be pursued. When it comes to
being creative, the human brain – in particular the frontal lobe remains influential and computers
have been labeled as having small ‘c’ creativity.
The second area in which the brain has an advantage of computers relates to self-
sufficiency. While the brain is an organ that can organize and repair itself, any damage to
computers require physical correction via the encoding of information and organization of
information in specific ways.
Another area in which the brain excels and the computer does not relates to emotion and
empathy. While there have been (1) significant successes in creating computer systems that can
decode facial expressions and (2) many attempts in robots offering social support to people (e.g.
Japan’s….), the fact remains that computers still cannot form real feelings and genuine empathy
and it remains to be seen whether decoding and responding to emotions is a challenge only
human beings can face. The frontal lobe…
The ability to change is another sphere in which the brain triumphs over computers.
