Generative theories in cognitive psychology

Journal/Book: Theor Psychol. 2000; 10: 2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA. Sage Publications Inc. 117-125.

Abstract: Modern cognitive psychology has strictly adhered to the experimental methodology of the natural sciences. Often, contributions in Theory & Psychology have addressed shortcomings and possible remedies of this predominant approach and its emphasis on 'effects'. My comment contrasts this approach with the generative theories (cognitive simulation models) developed in cognitive science about 30 years ago and still not widely accepted in psychology. I characterize these generative theories, and discuss their weaknesses and their advantages over the usual way of theorizing in cognitive psychology. I hope to convince at least some readers that (a) in order to proceed in this manner, you need not buy a ready-made 'cognitive architecture', and (b) that this approach results in a much more rigorous theorizing (although still well controllable as a scientific endeavor).

Note: Article Strube G, Univ Freiburg, IIG, Ctr Cognit Sci, Friedrichstr 50, D-79098 Freiburg, GERMANY

Keyword(s): cognitive architecture; cognitive modeling; cognitive psychology; generative theory; MODELS

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