Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a vastly popular practical derivative of Cognitive Psychology that has shown success helping people with trauma, depression and personality disorders, to name a few applications. CBT relies on the recognition that our thoughts lead to our emotions and behaviors, and so to decrease distress or problem behaviors, the thoughts that lead to these need to be changed.

The Study of Cognitive Psychology

Students of Cognitive Psychology are likely to study aspects of linguistics, logic, philosophy, behavioral psychology, human factors psychology, biological or neurological psychology, developmental psychology and related topics. Cognitive Psychology includes a complex set of inter-related, and sometimes, opposing theory. There are also several other types of cognitive therapy that are based on Cognitive Psychology, besides cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitve Psychology Education

Cognitive Psychology is often paired with another discipline, or related discipline or terms, within higher education settings. Examples are; Neuropsychology/Cognitive Psychology, Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology, Communication/Cognitive Psychology and Perceptual/Cognitive Psychology. These programs are usually found at the graduate and doctoral levels, although there are often courses offered by the titles of Cognitive Psychology, Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology and others at the undergraduate level. Many undergraduate programs include the foundations, or at least aspects, of Cognitive Psychology as either courses or as part of other courses. Computer program design courses often include aspects of Cognitive Psychology too, as do many education courses.

Cognitive Psychology and Computers

Remember the term "user-friendly"? It's important for designers in the computer and software design arenas to understand how people most often think about how to search or otherwise use computers and computer programs. They need to know what makes logical and/or intuitive sense when using computers, particularly to a majority of users. As examples, understanding something about sensory perceptions, memory, problem-solving and decision-making -- all aspects of Cognitive Psychology -- is critical.

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive (and/or Perceptual) Psychology looks at mental processes, such as memory, problem-solving, reflection, decision-making, perception and other aspects of how human beings think. In therapy, a Cognitive Psychologist, or another professional trained in Cognitive Psychology may, as examples, want to help an individual learn better problem-solving skills or challenge distorted perceptions. Cognitive psychology has only been considered a branch of psychology since the late nineteen-sixties. Its theories have become common within other branches of psychology too. Many psychotherapies and education approaches incorporate theories of cognition now.