Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Cognitive approach

Answer 1

How our internal mental processes affect behaviour, studied through making inferences

Question 2

Schema

Answer 2

A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing, developed from experience. Useful as a mental shortcut but may distort interpretations

Question 3

What do cognitive psychologists use to help understand internal mental processes?

Answer 3

Theoretical and computer models

Question 4

What is cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 4

The scientific study of the influence biological brain structures have on mental processes

Question 5

The emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 5

Advances in brain imaging technology (eg. PET, fMRI scans) has meant scientists have been able to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes

Question 6

Strengths of the cognitive approach

Answer 6

• High internal validity (eg. Controlled scientific lab experiments, allowing cause-and-effect relationship to be established)
• Real world application (eg. Contributes to AI, EWT and treatments for depression)

Question 7

Limitations of the cognitive approach

Answer 7

• Lacks internal validity (eg. Too abstract/theoretical inference, lacking scientific rigour)
• Machine reductionism (eg. Computer analogies ignoring influence of human emotion, weakening validity)