Cognitive Approach Flashcards
(36 cards)
What are the assumptions of the cognitive approach?
•Behaviour is the result of internal mental processes, such as memory and perception.
• Internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically.
• Internal mental processes cannot be observed directly so they are studied indirectly by making inferences based on behaviour which can be observed.
•Adopts information processing approach used to explain human thinking and behaviour (MSM)
what do cognitive psychologists do?
study what they can observe and measure (e.g. behaviour) and then make inferences (assumptions) about the internal mental processes that may have caused what they observed.
what is an inference?
-the act of drawing a conclusion from evidence and reasoning
-clues taken
from observable behaviour can suggest what is going on in the unobservable mind
what did the development of computers in the 1950s give cognitive psychology?
the terminology it needed to study human internal mental processing
what was adopted to model how human thought works?
an information processing model- information is received as an input; the information is processed within the system; and an output is produced.
What happens at input?
Information is received from the environment, e.g. sensory stimuli
What happens at processing?
Information is operated on, e.g. attention, transfer, storage, etc.
what happens at output?
Result of the processed information, e.g. behaviour
what does the cognitive approach use to study and make inferences about the human mind?
Computer models and theoretical models (information processing models)
what is an information for processing model?
General features common to humans and computers
what is the theoretical model?
A type of Information-Processing model with features relevant to humans.
what is the computer model?
A type of Information- Processing Model with features relevant to computers.
What do theoretical models do?
explains specific mental processes and are characterised by series of steps usually illustrated by a diagram
what are theoretical models used to do?
They are used to make inferences about unseen mental processes that are causing a particular behaviour
what do experimental findings provide? (theoretical models)
Experimental findings provide the basis for the construction of theoretical models. Further experimental findings can support the model or indicate revisions if needed.
What can theoretical models also be used to make?
Predictions, which are then tested empirically
What is one example of a theoretical model?
multi store model of memory
What does the multi-store model explain?
internal mental processing in human memory by depicting key storage components (e.g. STM and LTM) as boxes and key processes (e.g. attention and rehearsal) as arrows
Why do computers scientists construct computer models?
To simulate human internal mental processing
What is a computer programmed with?
an algorithm, which is a step-by-step set of instructions about how to process information.
What is the computer programme provided with?
Input i(likened to environmental stimuli); this information is processed according to the algorithm (likened to internal mental processes); which results in an output (likened to behaviour).
what is one example of a computer model used in virtual relationships?
the mobile dating App Tinder, which attempts to simulate the processes a human would go through when deciding on a potential romantic partner.
what does tinder use?
-an algorithm that accepts inputs such as a person’s personal interests, processes this information by matching users with similar interests and provides an output which returns a selection of potential partner matches.
what are the differences between the theoretical and computer models?
-TM- diagrams of internal mental processing whereas CM-simulations of internal mental processing
-TM- processes are developed naturally through experience whereas CM-processes requires direct programming through algorithms
