Question 1
Psychologists have done detailed research in comparing the human brain and the computer. Several of them have been able to come to the conclusions of describing the brain as a computer. In the study of cognitive psychology, which understands the concepts of human thinking, we can tase the human feeling in looking at the similarities and differences between the human brain and the computer.
To some extent, I buy the idea that the computer and the brain are not the same following various arguments from psychologists. In this aspect, we can argue that the computer is different from the mind in its functioning upon considering a factor like free will. The brain has free will in its functioning process and capable of coordinating and organizing its thoughts without algorithms. At the same time, the computer can’t function without human programming. The brain can be able to decide without the influence of any inbuilt features, as noted by Knapp, a cognitive psychologist. The computer is not capable of doing this.
Knapp also established the brain’s neural network can be influenced to change decisions due to the effects of will or the individual’s environment. He argues that each individual has a unique brain that can be organized uniquely without using system upgrades. This is not the same as the computers because they need well-established programs to be able to function and require time to time upgrades.
However, with the above arguments, we need also to compare the fact that the computer can be able to perform complex tasks and calculations that easy to human brains. Using the algorithms, we can also use the brain and perform the functions of the computer. This can be used to prove that the brain is a computer. No matter how many arguments can be presented, computer intelligence has been studied to rely on human intelligence, leading me to conclude that the brain is more of a computer.
Question 2
Psychopathology can be described as the study of behavior and experiences as well as abnormal cognitions. Many psychologists are seen consulted to assist in the conduction of clinical work to provide psychotherapies. To improve their outcomes, they need to employ various theories to address issues while understanding human psychopathology. Among the approaches, the behaviorism models prove to work better to produce dependable results.
Behavioral models are considered to be useful in understanding the mental disorders as the psychologist provide their psychotherapies. The behavioral models have been established to maintain a relationship of analogy concerning the modeled disorder. This tries to mean that a given behavioral model will be able to represent psychopathology. In consideration of the behavioral approaches, we can look at the isomorphic models. These are characterized by a mechanism that is identical between the model and the target but unrelated causally and hence making it have low fidelity but high discriminating ability. For instance, in the amphetamine psychosis model of schizophrenia, behavioral alterations, and neurochemicals show similarity in what is observed in schizophrenic patients. It is also noted that the neurobehavioral changes are generally produced artificially in the lab following procedures that do not show human etiology.
It can be concluded that using several models in the behavioral theories can be of importance while providing therapy by the psychologists. The models offer different approaches towards different disorders, and each has its translational value to treatment.