Research in cognitive psychology has been described as “the mind studying itself.” Is this really an accurate characterization of what cognitive psychologists do in studies like those illustrated in Figures 1.1 and 1.16? Does the fact that cognitive psychologists study their own thought processes create any special opportunities or challenges? Is there any difference between a scientist studying a mental system like memory versus a bodily system like digestion?

   

FIGURE 1.1 The time needed to recognize a digit increases with the number of items in the memory set. The straight line represents the linear function that fits the data best. (Data from S. Sternberg, 1969.)