Approaches, Cognitive

Question 1

What are the key assumptions of the cognitive approach?

Answer 1

• critique of behaviourism
• focuses on how internal mental processes drive behaviour
• schemas
• theoretical & computer models eg MSM

Question 2

What are schemas?

Answer 2

• a framework of knowledge that helps process information
• developed through experiences
• prevent brain being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli

Question 3

What is the key study in the Emergence of Cognitive Neuroscience?

Answer 3

• Bravel et al (1997), Brain Mapping
• found possible location of CE
• used brain scans whilst participants performed activities involving CE, high activity in prefrontal cortex

Question 4

What are the pros of the cognitive approach?

Answer 4

• Less deterministic than other approaches like biological, behaviourism & psychodynamic, we are free to think and respond to stimulus, IMPs, schemas… Although is still deterministic, soft determinism
• Scientific methods (Bravel et al 1997)
• Research support - Loftus & Palmer (1974), study of leading questions impacting EWT, different verbs impact answer, “contacted” mean of 31.8mph, smashed mean of 40.5mph, schemas

Question 5

What are the cons of the cognitive approach?

Answer 5

• Machine reductionism, explains human behaviour by reducing it to internal mental processes, ignores influence of human emotion, example, anxiety on EWT Yuille & Cutshall (1986) gun shop study, scale of anxiety, higher anxiety more accurate accounts
• Lack of scientific merit, relies on inferences as internal mental processes are not measurable