13 cognitive theories to understand the human mind

The different cognitive theories to understand the human mind offer you answers to many of the questions you always ask yourself. After all, knowing how you think, make decisions, learn or develop certain beliefs allows you to have a broader vision of your behavior. They are enriching approaches with great instructional value.

The cognitive current is a useful scientific model influenced by neuroscience, computational science or artificial intelligence. Since its constitution, its growth has been unstoppable. We suggest you delve into his most notable contributions below.

Theories about how the mind processes information

Cognitive psychology focuses its study on mental processes to understand how people perceive stimuli, process information, learn, remember, and solve problems. Its appearance, in the middle of the 20th century, was quite an advance. On the one hand, its purpose was to move away from behaviorism and that model that neglected the understanding of internal processes.

For another, The present psychological school sought to know how cognition mediates behavior. In that sense, the emergence of cognitivism coincided with the development of the first computers in the 1950s. This led to seeing the brain as a metaphor for a machine to better analyze its operation.

1. The theory of information processing

Information processing theory understands the human mind as a computer aimed at encoding, processing and storing information. This model laid the foundations of cognitive psychology thanks to books such as Human information processing (1972), by Peter H. Lindsay and Donald A. Norman.

From the present approach, your brain is understood as the hardware of a machine and your mind would act like the software. For this perspective, the most decisive phase is when you interact with a stimulus. From that moment on, each person analyzes the set of data they receive in one way and processes the information by relating it to their particular experience.

2. Computational theory of mind

The computational model of the mind is nourished by the theories of renowned linguist Noam Chomsky and his generative grammar. According to him, the brain has innate rules that explain the ease with which you develop language and communication.

The mind, for this theory, is understood as a system that manipulates complex symbols. In fact, it is compared to the machine that Alan Turing built at the time. That is, as a device that constantly creates concepts, after interacting with any element or situation. Thanks to them you understand the world and adapt to it.

3. The modular model of the mind

Cognitive theories to understand the human mind have evolved over the years. Currently, as they clarify in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, the brain-computer metaphor is perceived in a reductionist and limited way. Instead, you have other innovative approaches. An example of this is the one developed by experimental psychologist Steven Pinker.

For modular theory, The mind is organized in modules, in different specialized structures. It is an approach that is based on psychology and evolution. According to this perspective, people integrate new mental abilities as we enter more complex contexts that demand innovative competencies from us.

Cognitive theories about how the mind learns

When delving into cognitive models to understand the human mind, it is essential to talk about learning. From this perspective, The process of learning is an active and transformative act that goes beyond retaining data. It involves understanding, giving meaning and relating these new concepts to existing information.

4. Ausubel’s theory of meaningful learning

For learning to be effective, the mind must process the new material as a meaningful and meaningful type of information. This proposal, described by the psychologist and pedagogue David Ausubel, made us optimize the teaching processes by understanding that all data is better integrated if it is related to a pre-existing cognitive structure.

5. Bruner’s discovery learning

The psychologist Jerome Bruner proposed in his book The process of education (1960) that learning is more effective as long as students integrate knowledge on their own, rather than passively receiving it. This theory encouraged problem solving and guided discovery as educational methods.

All of this was an advance in understanding the way in which the mind learns and evolves. In case you’re wondering if this approach is still valid, the answer is yes. An example of this is what they point out in the Journal of Physics. Discovery learning is very effective in mathematics.

6. The Bandura’s social-cognitive learning

The social psychologist Albert Bandura also gave us one of the most important cognitive models to understand the human mind. He showed that Observation and imitation are cognitive processes of great importance in social learning. The environment, and what you see in the people around you, helps cement new skills and behaviors.

7. The ttheory of metacognition

A study published in Science of Learning proposes metacognition as the ability of people to be aware of their own cognitive processes and, in turn, to regulate them. This theory is interesting because Place your attention on the control you can have over your learning, to monitor it at all times.

Cognitive theories about mental motivation

Your Beliefs, expectations and perceptions are those cognitive processes that directly influence your motivation and behavior. The theories that we will now present highlight the importance of understanding the way in which individuals process their goals and objectives, as well as their rewards associated with success.

8. Weiner’s causal attribution

Bernard Weiner defined causal attributions as those explanations you give for your achievements and failures and that, in one way or another, influence future motivation. In general, People feel more motivated when they attribute their successes to internal causes and their failures to external factors.as this gives them a sense of control over their performance.

According to Frontiers in Psychology, this reality is also seen in the academic field. Often, teachers’ attributions mediate the results of their students.

9. The Deci and Ryan self-determination

This theory highlights the importance of self-determination in motivation. Psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan postulated that There are three basic psychological needs: competence, autonomy and relating. with the rest.

When these needs are satisfied, intrinsic motivation and self-determination are strengthened. Now, this model, stated in the 70s, was improved and completed over time. In fact, the University of Huelva, in Spain, proposes in a paper to include a new need: novelty.

The mind is that entity that carries out all your most important psychocognitive processes. Complex and wonderful systems such as perceptual, motivational, affective and behavioral systems flow in it. Each of these spheres allows you to reason to act, learn and understand what surrounds you.

Theories about emotions

Among the theories to understand the human mind, the psycho-emotional aspect cannot be missing. After all, every mental process, as well as thoughts, perceptions and beliefs, affect the emotional experience. This is something you will appreciate frequently. We invite you, therefore, to detail those most outstanding frameworks in this area.

10. The Lazarus Cognitive Assessment

The theory of psychologist Richard Lazarus states that Emotions are generated through a cognitive evaluation of the events and situations you face. What you feel is, neither more nor less, the result of how you interpret any event based on your personal goals and values.

eleven. Gross’s theory of emotional regulation

The proposal of psychologist James Gross argues that People can regulate their emotions through appropriate cognitive processes. This implies that, If you learn effective cognitive and behavioral strategies, you can improve your well-being, behavior and adapt better to challenges.

Something that this psychologist and professor at Stanford University tells us is that a good part of what you feel and experience is due to your reactions to your social environment. These scenarios, always complex and stressful, demand that you learn new mental techniques to gain well-being.

Cognitive theories about personality

Every cognitive process shapes human personality. Going deeper into these theories will help to discover the importance of how the way of processing information, of assuming some beliefs and not others, traces, little by little, the way of being. Understanding this also facilitates the opportunity to create healthier changes. We describe these models to you.

12. The tKelly’s theory of personal constructs

George Kelly was a pioneer in the study of personality. His theory of personal constructs pointed out that all of us We have unique psychological constructs, through which we understand and give meaning to reality. This is a key factor in building our way of being and responding.

This psychologist, precursor of cognitive theories, explained in his book Theory of personal constructs (1955) that people do not get to know the world directly, but rather we do so through images that we create of it. We are, so to speak, scientists who build the perception of our environment with our experiences and hypotheses.

13. The Mischel’s personality schemes

Walter Mischel’s sociocognitive theory determined that People develop cognitive schemas about themselves and others and this mediates their behavior and way of being. For this Austrian psychologist, personality is in itself a set of cognitive strategies that guide you to obtain rewards or avoid what harms you.

The significance of cognitive theories to understand the human mind

Complex, relevant, innovative and even reductionist. When taking a tour of the main cognitive theories to understand the human mind, it is common to find very diverse perspectives. However, they all have a common thread: Cognitive psychology contributes to a better understanding of human behavior.

While behaviorism placed attention on observable behavior and…