approaches (cognitive) Flashcards
what are the three main research methods
laboratory experiments
field
natural
what are laboratory experiments
a lot of research in cognitive psychology happens in laboratories. this is very scientific and reliable as it is possible to have great control over variables in a lab. however it has low ecological validity
what are field experiments
take place in a natural situation (studies of memory or attention in a school environment) so they have more ecological validity, but there’s less control of most of the variables
what are natural experiments
involve making observation of a naturally occurring situation. the experimenter has little control of the variables, and participants cant be randomly assigned to conditions. natural experiments have high ecological validity, but theyre not massively reliable, as uncontrolled variables can affect the results
cognitive psychologists have outlined 3 principles of cognitive approach
our mental systems have a limited capacity
a control mechanism oversees all mental processes
there is a two way flow of information
criticisms of the computer system relation
doesnt have emotional and motivational factors
humans have an unlimited but reliable memory
humans have free will
how does the computer system relate to the human system
information coming in from the world through sense organs —> brain —–> information passed back out for action
name the 3 types of schemas
role schemas
event schemas
self schemas
what are role schemas
these are ideas about the behaviour which is expected from someone in a certain role, setting or situation. e.g. your schema for a doctor might be someone who is intelligent, respectable and sensible.
what are event schemas
these are also called scripts. they contain information about what happens in a situation. e.g. when you go to a restaurant you know youll usually need to read a menu and place an order
what are self schemas
these contain informatuon about ourselves based on physical characteristics and personality, as well as beliefs and values. self schams can affect how you act - e.g. if your self schema says that you are health conscious, you are likely to eat well and exercise regularly
who was barlet
(1996)
english participants were asked to read a native American folk tale called the war of the ghosts. unfimiliar story with strange ideas and objects
results; they would explain their story the way how they would fit their own schemas/ their story become more enlglish and details and emotions were added
people use schemas to help interpret and remember the whole world around them
what is cognitive neuroscience
an approach which maps human behaviour to brain function. brain imaging techniques allow psychologists to discover when and where things happen
strengths of cognitive approach
considers mental processes which are often overlooked in the other approaches
it has had a big influence on the development of therapies
weaknesses of cognitive approach
research is often carried out in artificial situations (laboratories, using computer models) and the role of emotion and influence from other people is often ignored
cognitive psychology fails to take individual differences into account by assuming that all ofus process stuff exactly the same way
