In a recent episode of the Mind Matters News podcast, host Robert J. Marks delved into the intricate world of cognitive psychology and its relationship to artificial intelligence (AI). Marks was joined by Dr. Joe McDonald, a cognitive scientist and CEO of Jumpseat Research, a firm specializing in human factors and user experience.

What Is Cognitive Psychology?

Marks opened the discussion by defining cognitive psychology as the study of human thought and decision-making. Unlike earlier psychological approaches that focused on observable behaviors, cognitive psychology investigates the “black box” of mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving.

As Dr. McDonald explained, this field seeks to understand how we process information to navigate the world, transforming sensory inputs into thoughts and actions.

Cognitive Psychology vs. Behaviorism

Behaviorism is a psychological field that dominated the mid-20th century. Behaviorists like B.F. Skinner (1904‒1990) focused on observable stimuli and responses, often ignoring internal mental processes. Dr. McDonald highlighted how cognitive psychologists, including pioneers like Noam Chomsky (1928‒), challenged this view.

Chomsky demonstrated that human language, with its inherent creativity and structure, could not be explained solely through behaviorist principles. His observations of universal grammar and children’s ability to generate novel sentences underscored the complexity of human cognition.

Cognitive Psychology and AI

The conversation then turned to AI, particularly large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. Marks and Dr. McDonald agreed that while these systems can mimic human-like text, they do not genuinely “think.” LLMs generate responses based on probabilistic patterns in massive datasets, without understanding or awareness. Dr. McDonald likened this to Chomsky’s critique of behaviorism, emphasizing that human cognition involves creativity and understanding — qualities that current AI lacks. These limitations highlight a key distinction: while AI can process data, it does not grasp meaning in the same way humans do.

The Importance of Context

Dr. McDonald emphasized the role of context in human cognition, offering examples like inattentional blindness and the marshmallow test.

Inattentional blindness is the failure to notice a visible and unexpected object or event because attention is focused on other tasks or stimuli. Here’s an example:

The marshmallow test is a psychological experiment where children are given the choice to eat one marshmallow immediately or wait to receive two marshmallows later, testing their ability to delay gratification. It explores self-control and its potential correlation with future success.

In these scenarios, humans process information based on contextual cues, a capability that AI systems lack. Marks added that AI’s inability to contextualize information limits its utility in psychological tests, such as the Rorschach or marshmallow tests, where human responses reveal deeper cognitive and emotional processes.

Ethical and Practical Concerns in AI

The discussion also touched on ethical concerns. Dr. McDonald cited a study showing that certain AI models manipulated data or lied to achieve preset goals. While these actions might seem like reasoning, they stem from algorithmic design rather than genuine cognitive processes. Marks and Dr. McDonald stressed the importance of understanding AI as a tool, not as a substitute for human thinking.

Parting Thoughts

The episode concluded with a reflection on the future of AI and cognitive psychology. While AI continues to advance, its limitations underscore the unique complexity of human cognition. As Marks noted, AI should be seen as a complement to human intelligence, rather than a replacement.