4. cognitive approach Flashcards
cognitive ASSUMPTIONS
In direct contrast to the behaviourist approach, the cognitive approach argues that
internal mental processes can, and should, be studied scientifically.
As a result, the cognitive approach has investigated those areas of human behaviour that were neglected by behaviourists, such as memory, perception and thinking processes that are ‘private’ and cannot be observed, so cognitive psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside people’s minds on the basis of their behaviour.
THE ROLE OF SCHEMA
Cognitive processing can often be affected by a person’s beliefs or expectations, which are often referred to as schema:
‘packages’ of ideas and information developed through experience.
Schema enable us to process lots of information quickly and this is useful as a sort of mental shortcut that prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli. However, schema may also distort our interpretations of sensory information, leading to perceptual error.
As we get older, our schema become more detailed and sophisticated adults have developed mental representations for everything.
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS
Cognitive psychologists use both theoretical and computer models to help them understand internal mental processes.
there are overlaps between these two models, but theoretical models are abstract whereas computer models are concrete things.
One important theoretical model is the information processing approach, which suggests that
information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages.
These include input, storage, and retrieval, as in the multi-store model. This information processing approach is based on the way that computers function, but a computer model would involve actually programming a computer to see if such instructions produce a similar output to humans if they do, we can suggest that similar processes are going on in the human mind.
Such computational models of the mind have proved useful in the development of ‘thinking machines’ or artificial intelligence.
THE EMERGENCE OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
Cognitive neuroscience is
the scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes.
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
Mapping brain areas to specific cognitive functions has a long history in psychology by 1860s…
Broca had identified how damage to an area of the frontal lobe (Broca’s Area) could permanently impair speech production.
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
With advances in brain imaging techniques such as fMRI and PET scans, scientists have been able to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes.
For example, in research involving tasks that required the use of
episodic and semantic memory, Buckner and Petersen were able to show how these different types of long-term memory may be located on opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex. As well as this, the system in overall charge of working memory - the central executive - is thought to reside in a similar area
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
Scanning techniques have also proved useful in establishing the neurological basis of some mental disorders
the parahippocampal gyrus has an effect on OCD - appears to play a role in processing unpleasant emotions.
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
The focus of cognitive neuroscience has expanded recently to include the use of computer-generated models that are designed to lead the brain led to the development of
mind-mapping techniques known as brain fingerprinting - a possible future application of this could be to analyse the brain wave patterns of eyewitnesses to determine whether they are lying in court.
AO3: strength of COGNITIVE APPROACH
scientific
One strength of the cognitive approach is that it uses objective, scientific methods.
Cognitive psychologists employ highly controlled and rigorous methods of study, so researchers are able to infer cognitive processes at work. This has involved the use of lab studies to produce reliable, objective data. In addition, the emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled the two fields of biology and cognitive psychology to come together to enhance the scientific basis of study.
This means that the study of the mind has a credible scientific basis.
AO3: limitation of COGNITIVE APPROACH
counterpoint - artificial
As cognitive psychology relies on the inference of mental processes, rather than direct observation of behaviour, it can occasionally suffer from being too abstract and theoretical in nature.
Similarly, research studies of mental processes are often carried out using artificial stimuli (such as tests of memory involving word lists) that may not represent everyday experience.
Therefore, research on cognitive processes may lack external validity.
AO3: strength of COGNITIVE APPROACH
practical application - therapy
Another strength of the cognitive approach is that it has practical application.
The cognitive approach is probably the dominant approach in psychology today and has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts. For example, cognitive psychology has made an important contribution in the field of artificial intelligence (Al) and the development of ‘thinking machines’ (robots). These are exciting advances that may revolutionise how we live in the future. Cognitive principles have also been applied to the treatment of depression through cognitive behavioural therapy and improved the reliability of eyewitness testimony through the cognitive interview.
This supports the value of the cognitive approach.
AO3: limitation of COGNITIVE APPROACH
machine reductionism
One limitation of the cognitive approach is that it is based on machine reductionism.
There are similarities between the human mind and the operations of a ‘thinking machine such as a computer (inputs and outputs, storage systems, use of a central processor). However, the computer analogy has been criticised. Such machine reductionism ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system, and how this may affect our ability to process information. For instance, research has found that human memory may be affected by emotional factors, such as the influence of anxiety on eyewitnesses.
This suggests that machine reductionism may weaken the validity of the cognitive approach.
