Cognitive approach Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is one assumption of the cognitive approach?
Our internal mental processes that affect behaviour e.g our thoughts, memories and perceptions and these should be studied scientifically
What is the 1st feature of the cog approach?
The study of internal mental processes
The cognitive approach argues that IMP can be studied scientifically by investigating…
Memory, perception and thinking
How are IMP studied?
They are studied by making inferences because our IMPs are private and cannot be observed, so are studied indirectly
What is meant by inferences?
The process where cognitive psychologists go beyond immediate evidence to draw logical assumptions about how IMP drive our behaviour based on observed behaviour, but not dirrectly inferred
What is the 2nd feature of the cognitive approach?
The use of computor models
Cognitive psychologists argue that the mind functions like…
a computor
What does the information processing model apply?
It applies the idea of the human mind functioning like a computer e.g information may enter the brain but how we respond depends on how we process information
What are inputs
Where we recieve the information from the environment via our senses
What is information processing
This is where information is processed and we store the info as a memory
What is an output
Where the appropriate behaviour, emotion is performed or retrievel of information occurs
What is an example of a theoretical model?
Ellis’ ABC model. A is input B is processing and C is output
What can theoretical models be used for
It can be used to provide testable theories about mental processing and these can be studied scientifically so inferences can be made
What is the third feature of the cognitive approach
Schemas
What are schemas a form of?
IMP
What are schemas?
They are mental representations that are created through unique knowledge and experience
Where are schemas held
They are held in the LTM and can include beliefs such as stereotypes
Schemas can change through…
life and become more detailed through experience
Why can schemas be beneficial
They help us make quick decisions because they are a useful mental shortcut that prevents us from being overwhelmed by info from the environment
How can schemas not be beneficial
Schemas can call biased recall as we may recall what we expect to see rather than what we actually witnessed
