4.4 Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What is the cognitive approach?
Focuses on how our mental processes e.g thoughts affect behaviour
What is inference?
Drawing conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour
What is schema?
A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing. Developed from experience
Why is schema useful?
A mental shortcut that enables us to quickly process information to prevent us being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
Why could schema be bad?
May distort our interpretations of sensory information, leading to perceptual errors
What do theoretical models suggest?
Suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in a systematic way e.g multi store model
What do computer models suggest?
Suggests that the mind works like a computer, turns information into a format it can be stored
What is cognitive neuroscience?
The scientific study of the influence of brain structures on the mind
Describe the emergence of cognitive neuroscience
- Includes use of computer generated models designed to ‘read’ the brain, led to development of mind-mapping techniques such as brain fingerprinting
- Advances in brain imaging techniques such a as FMRI and PET scans
AO3 for cognitive approach
1. Objective scientific methods
Cognitive psychologists employ highly controlled and rigorous methods e.g lab studies, able to infer cognitive processes at work, produces reliable objective data, credible scientific basis
2. Real-world application
Applied to wide range of practical and theoretical contexts e.g cognitive psychology useful in field of AI, development of robots and reliability of EWT, these advances revolutionise future living, supports value of approach
3. Machine reductionism
Similarities between human mind and operations of computers, influence of human emotion and motivation on cognitive system ignored e.g human memory affected by emotional factors in EWT, weakens validity of approach
