Cognitive Approach Flashcards
(33 cards)
Key assumptions of cognitive approach
In order to study the behaviour we must study internal mental processes instead of observable behaviour
What are internal mental processes
Are private processes of the mind such as perception, attention and memeoeu
Internal mental processes mediate between…
Stimuli and our responses to stimuli
Schema
Package of knowledge or framework or beliefs and expectations to help us make sense of information and organise it in the brain
What happens to our schemas as we grow older
As we grow older, our schemas become more complex and detailed as they connect to other schemas in the brain
Why are schemas useful
Help us to make shortcuts when interpreting large amounts of information and help us to fill in gaps when we don’t know all of the details
How are schemas developed
Developed from experience and influence cognitive processing
What are the two models used to explain human mental processes
Theoretical model, computer models
Why do we use computer and theoretical models of internal processes
Because we can’t see what goes on in the brain so we use models to explain this process
How do theoretical models explain mental processes
By producing diagraming similar to flow charts to illustrate stages and location of info processing for cog processes
What type of concept do theoretical models have
Abstract concept
What type of concept are computer models
Concrete concepts
How do computer models work
They use computer analogies to explain human processes
Cognitive neuroscience refers to
How structures of the brain might influence cognitive thought processes
Why is the development of newer scanning techniques useful
Allowed scientific and accurate observation of internal mental processes
Scanning techniques allow us too…
Promote scientific research, aspects of the brain functioning can be studied by looking at scans
How can newer scanning techniques be tested more objectively
Map out the brain, identify areas that are active when a person is asked to carry out a cognitive task
What did Bruner et al study
Used FMRI scans to try and map the areas of the brain involved in processing emotions
What did Bruner et al find
They found that when people feel guilt, several brain regimes activate including the medial prefrontal cortex which is associated with emotion
3 different scanning techniques
FMRI, EEG, PET
FMRI measures
Blood flow and oxygenation to activate parts of the brain
What does FMRI use
Uses a string magnetic field and can show 3D images of the active parts of the brain
What are FMRI useful for
Research of memory
EEG measures
Measures electrical energy using electrodes
