5 Approaches- Cognitive Flashcards
in the cognitive approach what is said to occur between a stimulus and response
mediational processes
what is used to explain mental processes?
the use of models e.g. memory
why are models used to explain mental processes?
-inner mental processes cannot be directly observed, models make inferences about the processes that cause certain behaviours so we can conceptualise what is happening in the mind
what do information processing models assume?
they assume that mental processes follow a clear, distinctive sequence.
how should thought processes be studied?
scientifically
-uses well controlled laboratory studies to investigate mental processes, objective and highly controlled methods
-inferences can then be made
what are inferences?
the process of drawing conclusions about general patterns of behaviour from specific observations
what are the four sections within the cognitive approach?
- the study of internal mental processes
- the role of schemas
- using theoretical and computer models
- the emergence of cognitive neuroscience
examples of internal processes that we study
attention, memory and decision-making
what do we understand about internal mental processes?
they are private and cannot be directly observed, making inferences about thought processes that lead to particular behaviours
what are inferences within the cognitive approach?
conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning. cognitive psychologists use computer models to draw assumptions regarding mental processes from directly observing behaviour
what are schemas?
mental frameworks/ packages of information which contain ideas about the world that give us expectations/ rules about what to do.
how do schemas develop?
through experiences
how do people share similar schemas?
people from the same cultures can share similar schemas due to shared experiences, but personal experiences dictate the schemas we form
what is assimilation?
when new information is incorporated into pre-existing schemas
what is accommodation?
when existing schemas are altered or new schemas are formed as a person learns new information and has new experiences
how do schemas help us organise information?
they play an important role in how we interpret data, they allow us to predict what may happen based on our previous experiences.
how do schemas influence us?
-what we pay attention to
-how quickly people learn
-they simplify the world
-we can think quicker
-change how we interpret new information
how do schemas influence what we pay attention to?
we pay attention more to things we can relate to as we infer what we expect to find out
how to schemas impact how quickly people learn?
when we are exposed to new information, we often relate it to our existing knowledge to improve how we comprehend it.
-we learn more readily when information relates to personal things, emotional engagement and cognitive processes
how do schemas help simplify the world?
they make it easier for people to learn about the world around them as we can compare with existing schemas
how do schemas allow us to think quickly?
people can assimilate new information quickly and automatically with existing schemas
how do schemas change how we interpret incoming information?
people sometimes distort or alter new information to make it fit with what they already know
-memory may be unreliable
why can schemas be difficult to change?
people cling to existing schemas, even if information is contradictory
how can negative schemas make us feel about successes and failures?
successes are viewed as down to chance
failures are viewed as negative
give an example of research into schemas
Barlett (1932)
The War of Ghosts
how did Barlett’s study work? what were the results?
participants read a native folk tale, it was unfamiliar and full of strange names, ideas and objects. they were asked to recall the story after different lengths of time
they found that ppts changed the story to fit in with their schemas- assimilation
how do theoretical models help explain mental processes?
they can help us conceptualise how information is processed in the brain. they do this by describing the process in clear, distinct steps
what is the MSM?
the multi-store model of memory
how does the MSM work?
the model illustrates how memories move from sensory input to long-term memory
sensory memory can turn into short term memory through attention and rehearsal, then into long term memory with more rehearsal. retrieval can allow information to move form the long-term memory to short-term memory store.
what does the MSM allow us to test?
allows us to test individual components of memory and for detailed examination
-areas of the brain can be identified with certain tasks
what is the WMM?
the working memory model?
how does the WMM work?
works off of the short-term memory
-says that it is a system composed of 3 limited capacity stores
what do we have to make when studying internal processes?
we have to make inferences
- making assumptions about something we cannot directly observe
how can we use computer models to explain mental processes?
cognitive psychologists developed information processing models ot help us conceptualise how information is processed in the brain
-there are inputs, outputs and information processed in the human mind through stages
describe the stages in the human mind and computer models
Input
(data enters the system)
-sensory information
Program
(processes information)
-sequence of mental operations
Output
(product of processing)
-behaviours, emotions, memories etc
what is cognitive neuroscience?
the scientific field that is concerned with the study of the biological process and aspects that underlie cognition
what does cognitive neuroscience examine?
the influence of brain structures and chemistry on mental/ cognitive processes
what technology has allowed us to understand the brain in more depth?
neuroimaging techniques
-brain scans
-e.g. PET, CAT, MRI and fMRI scans
what do neuroimaging techniques allow us to do?
-understand how the brain supports different cognitive activities and emotions
-understand which parts are linked to memory processes
-establish the neurological basis of mental disorders
how can neuroscientists find areas in the brain that are responsbile for changes in behaviour
they can compare neurotypical patients with patients who have damage in their brain
examples of practical applications
scans
-show that certain psychological disorders have an underlying neurological basis
e.g. link between dopamine and schizophrenia
-drug treatments can be prescribed
how do nuture and nature play roles in our behaviour?
the environment can play a role in shaping our brain- take a more holistic account of behaviour
-combine all factors and allow them to interconnect.
evaluating the cognitive approach
what is an opposing idea to the cognitive approach?
it is a reductionist explanation of human behaviour
-does not take into account emotions and motivations (it simplifies processes down)
-emotional and social aspects are not focused on, it focuses on logical aspects within brain processes
evaluating the cognitive approach
is the cognitive approach deterministic?
it is less deterministic than other approaches
-it acknowledges that we think and process our behaviours before we perform them
-we have control over our actions, feel more empowered, feel responsbility, take accountability for actions
evaluating the cognitive approach
are there any applications with this approach?
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
-it helps to treat depression by changing irrational thoughts into rational, adaptive ones to reduce their psychological distress
-this is a positive contribution to society, there are no side effects that are prevalent with drug treatments
evaluating the cognitive approach
is the cognitive approach scientific?
it is highly scientific
-carried out in a lab, high levels of control with standardised procedures
-replication is possible, high in reliability, data is objective, visual brain scans means there is no bias or inferences that can be made.
evaluating the cognitive approach
ecological validity?
lacks ecological validity
-artificial environment can cause demand characteristics to be shown
-behaviour may not reflect real life memory or brain activity
