1.4 The cognitive approach

Question 1

When did the cognitive approach become popular, around the development of the what?

Answer 1

1950-60’s. With the development of the computer.

Question 2

What do cognitive psychologists focus on?

Answer 2

Mental processes, and the influence of thought on behaviour.

Question 3

Name 2 basic assumptions?

Answer 3

• Internal mental processes (memory and perception) can be studied scientifically.
• Humans actively process information.
• Human information processing is similar to a computer. From the stages of input to output.
• Theoretical models can be used to explain cognitive processes. Computer model.

Question 4

What is the main model used?

Answer 4

The computer model.

Question 5

Name two methods or research used my cognitive psychologists?

Answer 5

• Controlled lab experiments.
• Case studies of an individual with a cognitive impairment.
• Computer modelling of human processes.
• Use of scans to investigate neurological activity when various cognitive processes are taking place.

Question 6

What is a typical study for cognitive study of mental processing of memory?

Answer 6

Participants are read out a list of words. They then have to recall these words. What is usually found is the participant remembers the first and last words of the list but fails to remember most words in the middle.

Question 7

What is primary-recency effect?

Answer 7

The the first and last words on a list are remembered but not mainly the middle words.

Question 8

What does the list stud show abut the way memory works?

Answer 8

It suggests that the first words on the list have been rehearsed, therefore recalled from long-term memory. And the last words on the list are recalled from short-term memory.

Question 9

Name 3 strengths of the cognitive approach?

Answer 9

• Considers the role of thinking in behaviour.
• Cognitive models help explain the complex thinking processes, by separating into flow diagrams.
• Focuses of investigations using human participants.
• Uses highly controlled scientific models.
• Successful therapies have been developed from cognitive approaches.

Question 10

Name 3 limitations of the cognitive approach?

Answer 10

• Traditional cognitive researches relies on inference, we can only guess about the mental processes that are taking place on the basis of results form an experiment.
• Says little about initial causes of behaviour.
• Takes a mechanistic view, viewing humans as the processes of a machine.
• Experiments tend to lack ecological validity.