5 Approaches- Cognitive

Question 1

in the cognitive approach what is said to occur between a stimulus and response

Answer 1

mediational processes

Question 2

what is used to explain mental processes?

Answer 2

the use of models e.g. memory

Question 3

why are models used to explain mental processes?

Answer 3

-inner mental processes cannot be directly observed, models make inferences about the processes that cause certain behaviours so we can conceptualise what is happening in the mind

Question 4

what do information processing models assume?

Answer 4

they assume that mental processes follow a clear, distinctive sequence.

Question 5

how should thought processes be studied?

Answer 5

scientifically
-uses well controlled laboratory studies to investigate mental processes, objective and highly controlled methods
-inferences can then be made

Question 6

what are inferences?

Answer 6

the process of drawing conclusions about general patterns of behaviour from specific observations

Question 7

what are the four sections within the cognitive approach?

Answer 7

1. the study of internal mental processes
2. the role of schemas
3. using theoretical and computer models
4. the emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Question 8

examples of internal processes that we study

Answer 8

attention, memory and decision-making

Question 9

what do we understand about internal mental processes?

Answer 9

they are private and cannot be directly observed, making inferences about thought processes that lead to particular behaviours

Question 10

what are inferences within the cognitive approach?

Answer 10

conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning. cognitive psychologists use computer models to draw assumptions regarding mental processes from directly observing behaviour

Question 11

what are schemas?

Answer 11

mental frameworks/ packages of information which contain ideas about the world that give us expectations/ rules about what to do.

Question 12

how do schemas develop?

Answer 12

through experiences

Question 13

how do people share similar schemas?

Answer 13

people from the same cultures can share similar schemas due to shared experiences, but personal experiences dictate the schemas we form

Question 14

what is assimilation?

Answer 14

when new information is incorporated into pre-existing schemas

Question 15

what is accommodation?

Answer 15

when existing schemas are altered or new schemas are formed as a person learns new information and has new experiences

Question 16

how do schemas help us organise information?

Answer 16

they play an important role in how we interpret data, they allow us to predict what may happen based on our previous experiences.

Question 17

how do schemas influence us?

Answer 17

-what we pay attention to
-how quickly people learn
-they simplify the world
-we can think quicker
-change how we interpret new information

Question 18

how do schemas influence what we pay attention to?

Answer 18

we pay attention more to things we can relate to as we infer what we expect to find out

Question 19

how to schemas impact how quickly people learn?

Answer 19

when we are exposed to new information, we often relate it to our existing knowledge to improve how we comprehend it.
-we learn more readily when information relates to personal things, emotional engagement and cognitive processes

Question 20

how do schemas help simplify the world?

Answer 20

they make it easier for people to learn about the world around them as we can compare with existing schemas

Question 21

how do schemas allow us to think quickly?

Answer 21

people can assimilate new information quickly and automatically with existing schemas

Question 22

how do schemas change how we interpret incoming information?

Answer 22

people sometimes distort or alter new information to make it fit with what they already know
-memory may be unreliable

Question 23

why can schemas be difficult to change?

Answer 23

people cling to existing schemas, even if information is contradictory

Question 24

how can negative schemas make us feel about successes and failures?

Answer 24

successes are viewed as down to chance
failures are viewed as negative

Question 25

give an example of research into schemas

Answer 25

Barlett (1932) The War of Ghosts

Question 26

how did Barlett's study work? what were the results?

Answer 26

participants read a native folk tale, it was unfamiliar and full of strange names, ideas and objects. they were asked to recall the story after different lengths of time they found that ppts changed the story to fit in with their schemas- assimilation

Question 27

how do theoretical models help explain mental processes?

Answer 27

they can help us conceptualise how information is processed in the brain. they do this by describing the process in clear, distinct steps

Question 28

what is the MSM?

Answer 28

the multi-store model of memory

Question 29

how does the MSM work?

Answer 29

the model illustrates how memories move from sensory input to long-term memory sensory memory can turn into short term memory through attention and rehearsal, then into long term memory with more rehearsal. retrieval can allow information to move form the long-term memory to short-term memory store.

Question 30

what does the MSM allow us to test?

Answer 30

allows us to test individual components of memory and for detailed examination -areas of the brain can be identified with certain tasks

Question 31

what is the WMM?

Answer 31

the working memory model?

Question 32

how does the WMM work?

Answer 32

works off of the short-term memory -says that it is a system composed of 3 limited capacity stores

Question 33

what do we have to make when studying internal processes?

Answer 33

we have to make inferences - making assumptions about something we cannot directly observe

Question 34

how can we use computer models to explain mental processes?

Answer 34

cognitive psychologists developed information processing models ot help us conceptualise how information is processed in the brain -there are inputs, outputs and information processed in the human mind through stages

Question 35

describe the stages in the human mind and computer models

Answer 35

Input (data enters the system) -sensory information Program (processes information) -sequence of mental operations Output (product of processing) -behaviours, emotions, memories etc

Question 36

what is cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 36

the scientific field that is concerned with the study of the biological process and aspects that underlie cognition

Question 37

what does cognitive neuroscience examine?

Answer 37

the influence of brain structures and chemistry on mental/ cognitive processes

Question 38

what technology has allowed us to understand the brain in more depth?

Answer 38

neuroimaging techniques -brain scans -e.g. PET, CAT, MRI and fMRI scans

Question 39

what do neuroimaging techniques allow us to do?

Answer 39

-understand how the brain supports different cognitive activities and emotions -understand which parts are linked to memory processes -establish the neurological basis of mental disorders

Question 40

how can neuroscientists find areas in the brain that are responsbile for changes in behaviour

Answer 40

they can compare neurotypical patients with patients who have damage in their brain

Question 41

examples of practical applications

Answer 41

scans -show that certain psychological disorders have an underlying neurological basis e.g. link between dopamine and schizophrenia -drug treatments can be prescribed

Question 42

how do nuture and nature play roles in our behaviour?

Answer 42

the environment can play a role in shaping our brain- take a more holistic account of behaviour -combine all factors and allow them to interconnect.

Question 43

evaluating the cognitive approach what is an opposing idea to the cognitive approach?

Answer 43

it is a reductionist explanation of human behaviour -does not take into account emotions and motivations (it simplifies processes down) -emotional and social aspects are not focused on, it focuses on logical aspects within brain processes

Question 44

evaluating the cognitive approach is the cognitive approach deterministic?

Answer 44

it is less deterministic than other approaches -it acknowledges that we think and process our behaviours before we perform them -we have control over our actions, feel more empowered, feel responsbility, take accountability for actions

Question 45

evaluating the cognitive approach are there any applications with this approach?

Answer 45

CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) -it helps to treat depression by changing irrational thoughts into rational, adaptive ones to reduce their psychological distress -this is a positive contribution to society, there are no side effects that are prevalent with drug treatments

Question 46

evaluating the cognitive approach is the cognitive approach scientific?

Answer 46

it is highly scientific -carried out in a lab, high levels of control with standardised procedures -replication is possible, high in reliability, data is objective, visual brain scans means there is no bias or inferences that can be made.

Question 47

evaluating the cognitive approach ecological validity?

Answer 47

lacks ecological validity -artificial environment can cause demand characteristics to be shown -behaviour may not reflect real life memory or brain activity