Cognitive Approach Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the cognitive approach? (AQA spec)
The cognitive approach: the study of internal mental processes, the role of schema, the use of theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes. The emergence of cognitive neuroscience.
What are the 5 key assumptions of the cognitive approach?
- The cognitive approach focuses on internal processes in the mind
2.Cognitive psychologists believe internal mental processes can be studied scientifically
- Use of models
- We use schemas to organism information about the world
- Cognitive neuroscience
ASSUMPTION ONE: The cognitive approach focuses on the internal processes of the mind
• The approach believed that is we want to understand an individuals behaviour, we first need to understand their mind. Therefore, cognitive psychology refers to the study of human mental processes and the role they play in thinking, feeling, and behaving.
• In other words, they are interested in the variables that mediate between stimulus/input and response/output- how does the way humans process information and how this shapes behaviour
• People actively try to make sense of their environments by considering the meaning of stimuli and organising information in a structured way
ASSUMPTION 2: Internal mental processes can be studied scientifically
Therefore they use methods such as lab experiments and controlled and structured observations.
However, they do acknowledge that processes are private (not directly accessible) so psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences.
What is an inference?
To make an assumption about a persons mental processing based on their behaviour. (Assumptions are subjective and can be incorrect)
ASSUMPTION 3: The use of models
As cognitive processing is not observable, it employs models/metaphors to explain what is happening in the mind and help to explain complex and abstract theories. For example, the computer analogy and multi-store model.
A cognitive model of the memory system would suggest that it has two main components, one for dealing with the information that we need to process now (working memory), and another for storing all the information we have acquired in the past and might need again in the future (long term memory).
These components are assumed to be interconnected, because current information processing may need to draw on past experience and because the outcome of current information processing might need to be stored for future reference.
Describe the computer analogy.
The cognitive approach compares the way the mind works to a computer.
COMPUTER:
INPUT -> PROCESSING -> MEMORY -> OUTPUT
HUMAN:
Input from environment via senses -> Cognitive processing (thinking) -> Memory stores (inherent in the human brain) -> Output (our behaviour)
What are the similarities between the computer and humans?
-Both have a processor which controls what happens
-Both have inputs/outputs
-Parts are interconnected
What are the differences between the computer and humans?
- Humans are affected by emotions, perception + motivational factors.
-Humans have free will.
-Humans do not have a limited memory, but memory is unreliable.
Describe the multi-store model- information processing
This suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in stages- one example of this is the multi-store model
(Lost via
decay or
displacement)
STIMULUS (Eyes/ears) SENSORY
FROM ————–> REGISTERS |
ENVIRONMENT |
(Maintenance rehearsal) (Attention)|
LONG TERM ————–> SHORT TERM<————–
MEMORY <————- MEMORY
(Forgotten via (Retrieval)
decay and
displacement)
What’s are the limits to processing?
-Our mental systems have a limited capacity- the amount of info we can process is dependant on how difficult a task is + how much other info is being processed.
-A control mechanism overuses all mental processes. New tasks require more processing thus leaving less for other tasks.
ASSUMPTION 4: Schemas
• Schemas are ways of organising knowledge and experience of the world into ‘templates’ that are used to make sense of objects, situations and people we encounter.
• Schemas come from our experiences. They are a framework of beliefs & expectations that shape our cognitive processing
What are the strengths of schemas?
-mental shortcut which can prevent the brain becoming overwhelmed.
-can help us to predict future situations to reduce situations to reduce anxiety.
What are the weaknesses of schemas?
-‘filling in the gaps’ can lead to inaccuaracy of mempory- problematic for things such as EWT
-negative schemas can lead to depression
-if a schema doesn’t match reality this can lead to distortion
We use schema when we process information from the world around us.
Explain one reason why using schema might be useful when processing information from
the world around us, and explain one reason why using schema might not be useful when
processing information from the world around us.
(Total 4 marks)
Useful:
• schema help us predict what will happen in our world based on our experiences
• schema enable us to process vast amounts of information rapidly
• schema prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.
Not useful:
• schema can distort our interpretation of sensory information
• schema lead to perceptual errors or inaccurate EWT / memories
• schema can cause biased recall / see what we expect
• negative / faulty schema may have a negative impact on mental health
ASSUMPTION 5: Cognitive neuroscience
cognitive science was formally formed in MIT in 1956 and cognitive neuroscience was coined by George Miller and Michael Gazzaniga in the 1970s.
Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes.
It is the combination of the cognitive and biological approach and involves ‘brain mapping’.
It has lead to the development of brain scans.
What is ‘brain mapping’?
Mapping brain areas/structures to specific cognitive functions.
How has the development of cognitive neuroscience benefited psychology?
- More scientific/objective in research study
- Provided neurological basis of certain psychological disorders
- Early identification for cognitive problems prior to observable behaviours has provided potential for early intervention.
