Understanding Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology

Behavioral and cognitive psychologists have very different ideas about what the mind is. Knowing these differences helps us understand psychology better.

Behavioral psychology looks at what people do, or their observable behaviors. Cognitive psychology, on the other hand, focuses on what goes on inside the mind.

Behavioral Psychologists

Behavioral psychologists don’t really believe in the idea of a “mind” that affects how we act. They think psychology should only look at actions we can see and how environments shape those actions. Key figures like John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner showed that we can study behavior without thinking about internal thoughts.

For example, Pavlov's dogs learned to salivate when they heard a bell. This doesn’t tell us what the dogs were thinking but shows how they learned to connect the sound with getting food.

Cognitive Psychologists

In contrast, cognitive psychologists believe understanding the mind is super important for understanding behavior. They look at mental processes like memory, perception, problem-solving, and decision-making. Cognitive psychology came about because people felt behaviorism didn’t explain everything.

For instance, if a student isn’t studying, cognitive psychologists might explore what that student believes about their own abilities.

Key Differences

1. Focus of Study:

   • Behavioral Psychologists: Study only visible actions and outside factors.
   • Cognitive Psychologists: Study the internal thoughts that affect behavior.

2. Method of Investigation:

   • Behaviorism: Uses experiments to directly measure behavior. Skinner's experiments with rats show how rewards and punishments shape behavior.
   • Cognitive Psychology: Uses different methods like experiments and brain imaging to understand thought processes.

3. View of Learning:

   • Behavioral Perspective: Learning is just about gaining new behaviors. For example, a child learns to say “please” and “thank you” because their parents praise them.
   • Cognitive Perspective: Learning is more complex and involves understanding and organizing information.

4. Role of Emotions:

   • Behaviorism: Often ignores emotions, viewing them as effects of behavior. For example, someone might get treated for anxiety without exploring why they feel anxious in the first place.
   • Cognitive Psychology: Values thoughts and emotions. It suggests that negative thinking can lead to emotional problems. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people change negative thoughts to feel better.

5. Understanding of Self:

   • Behaviorists: Think people are shaped mostly by their environment.
   • Cognitive Psychologists: Believe self-perception is affected by both thoughts and experiences.

6. Treatment Approaches:

   • Behavioral Techniques: Focus on changing behaviors using methods like rewards and exposure therapy.
   • Cognitive Techniques: Address thought patterns that contribute to mental health issues, often using CBT.

Behavioral psychology gives us a clear way to look at actions, but cognitive psychology helps us see what’s happening in the mind.

The debate about the mind is important. Behavioral psychologists see behavior as the main focus while cognitive psychologists think there’s much more beneath the surface. They believe understanding thoughts can explain why people act the way they do.

These differences affect real-life situations, like how we educate students or treat mental health issues. For example, a teacher who uses behavioral methods might reward good behavior in class without considering what the students are thinking. In contrast, a cognitive-based teacher may help students understand and overcome challenges by encouraging a positive mindset.

When it comes to psychological disorders, behavioral psychologists focus on rewards and punishments. Cognitive psychologists look at how negative thoughts can lead to issues like anxiety and depression.

Although these two styles seem opposite, some psychologists believe we can combine them. This means understanding both behaviors and thought processes might give us a better picture of human experiences.

In conclusion, while behavioral psychologists tend to ignore the mind and focus on actions, cognitive psychologists emphasize the importance of mental processes. As psychology continues to grow, the balance between these two views will remain essential in understanding human thoughts and behaviors.