The Approaches: The Cognitive Approach NEW Flashcards
According to the cognitive approach what does our mind work like?
A computer
How is the cognitive approach different to the behaviorist approach?
The cognitive approach suggests we actively process and organise information WHEREAS the behaviourist approach suggests we passively respond to stimuli
What is meant by ‘inferences’
Going beyond the immediate evidence to draw logical assumptions about how internal mental processes drive our behaviour, based on observed behaviour but not directly inferred
Describe the three-stage process of the computer model
INPUT (info from env.) –> PROCESS (we interpret) —-> OUTPUT (behaviour)
What is one benefit of using models according to the cognitive approach?
They provide testable theories about mental processing and can be studied scientifically
What is meant by a ‘schema’?
Form of internal mental processes, mental representations
How are ‘schemas’ created?
Unique knowledge and experience
Where are ‘schemas’ held?
In our LTM
Give one reason why schemas are beneficial
- Help us make quick decisions
- Prevent us from being overwhelmed
Give one reason why schemas may not be beneficial
Biased recall / EWT - we may recall what we expect to see
What are the three parts of the computer model?
Input
Processing
Output
According to the cognitive approach, what affects our behaviour? Give an example
Mental processes, e.g. our thoughts/memories/perceptions
According to the cognitive approach, how should mental processes be studied? Why?
Scientifically (lab experiments), to allow inferences to be made
How does the mind work like a computer?
It has input from the senses, which is processed and then produces an output, such as a specific behaviour
Cognitive psychologists suggest that our internal mental processes are ‘private’ and cannot be observed. So, how are they studied?
Indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside the mind based on an individual’s behaviour
Inferences are where cognitive psychologists go beyond the immediate evidence to…
draw logical assumptions about how internal mental processes drive our behaviour
What are inferences based on?
Observed behaviour, but not directly inferred
What two things are used to make inferences (conclusions) about our mental processes, thoughts and behaviours?
Computer models, Theoretical models
How does the information-processing model apply the idea of the human mind functioning like a computer?
Information may enter the brain but how we respond/act depends upon how we process the information
In the Input stage of the computer model, where do we receive information from and how? What happens after?
The environment via our senses. It is encoded
In the Processing stage of the computer model, how is information stored?
As a memory
What happens in the Output stage of the computer model?
The appropriate behaviour/emotion is performed, or retrieval of information occurs
Give an example of a computer model
Ellis’ ABC model as a cognitive explanation of depression
How is Ellis’ ABC model an example of a computer model?
‘A’ being the activating event (input) such as the loss of a job, ‘B’ being the processing of the information (either rational or irrational beliefs) and ‘C’ being the consequence, the behaviour (output)
