Cognitive

Question 1

(Assumption) What does the cognitive approach focus on?

Answer 1

Internal mental processes and the influence of thought on behaviour as they can and should be investigated

Question 2

(Assumption) What sorts of cognitive processes does the approach advocate the importance of?

Answer 2

beliefs, desires and motivation

Question 3

(Assumption) What sort of methods should be used to measure mental processes?

Answer 3

scientific, experimental

Question 4

(Assumption) How does the approach believe the mind processes info coming through the senses?

Answer 4

actively

Question 5

(Assumption) Why are theoretical models important?

Answer 5

Can be used to explain cognitive processes

(describe multi-store model)

Question 6

(Assumption) Why does the approach liken the human mind to a computer?

Answer 6

We input/encode information from our environment through our senses.
We then transform information using mental processes such as decision making
The output is then a behavioural response

Question 7

Describe Ebbinghaus’ study into internal mental processes.

Answer 7

lab experiment
Aim: to investigate the loss of information from memory
Method: Memorised long lists of nonsense words and tested himself upon these words over a period of weeks
Results: Forgetting was greatest soon after learning and this levelled off after 2 days
Conclusion: Once information passes into the ltm it is unlikely to be forgotten

Question 8

Evaluate the previous evidence.

Answer 8

+controlled
+nonsense words were less likely to be remembered as they are unfamiliar
-only conducted upon himself do cannot be generalised
-many other EVs could affect recall e.g. tiredness

Question 9

(Evaluation) Why is considering the role of thinking in behaviour a strength?

Answer 9

Thoughts do influence our behaviour

Question 10

(Evaluation) Why is likening the information processing used in the mind to a computer a strength?

Answer 10

Simulations can be run to find out how the mind works

Question 11

(Evaluation) Why are scientific research methods a strength?

Answer 11

Highly controlled as EVs are controlled so results generated are more valid

Question 12

(Evaluation) Why is the focus on human participants a strength?

Answer 12

generalisable as we can be more sure the theory applies to humans

Question 13

(Evaluation) Why is ignoring other important factors in influencing behvaiour a weakness?

Answer 13

Oversimplistic

Question 14

(Evaluation) Why is the comparison of the human mind to a computer a weakness?

Answer 14

It is mechanistic and dehumanising

It ignores emotion which is shown to influence behaviour (give example)

Question 15

(Evaluation) Why are highly artificial lab experiments a weakness?

Answer 15

Lack ecological validity so cannot be generalised to real life

Question 16

(Evaluation) Why is the use of inference in models investigating internal mental processes a weakness?

Answer 16

May not be correct as people behave in different ways to stimuli