Approaches Flashcards
What is the definition of Introspection?
The process by which a person gains knowledge of self, through self examination and emotions
What did Wilhelm Wundt believe in?
Believed that all aspects of nature, including the human mind could be studied.
What is the fundamental belief of the cognitive approach?
It’s the way that we receive and interpret information through internal processes
What are schemas
The framework in the brain that helps us to organise and interpret information.
What do schemas allow us to do?
Take shortcuts through a mass of information daily
Exclude things that don’t conform to established ideas
Proves how we use and internal process to receive and interpret information
What are theoretical and computer models?
Models that show the stages of mental processes in activities, such as memory.
Looks at the way sensory information is encoded, leading to computer analogies of how information is processed and stored.
What is cognitive neuroscience?
PET and MRI scans show the brain structures involved in mental processes.
Shows which part of the brain are involved in specific circumstances
What did Burnett find in regards to cognitive neuroscience?
Areas in the medial prefrontal cortex are activated when we feel guilt
What are the strengths of the cognitive approach?
Real world application
Scientific approach
How does real world application provide support for the cognitive approach?
Can be applied in other areas such as psychopathology
has helped psychologists discover how mental illnesses can be developed from previous faulty though processes
Developed successful treatments such as CBT to reduce depressive symptoms
How does the scientific approach support support the cognitive approach?
Experimental method makes conclusions more accurate as they’re based off of more than common sense
Helps establish cause and effect
What are the limitations of the cognitive approach?
Schemes lead to stereotypes
Computer models
Ignores other aspects
How do computer models criticise the cognitive approach?
Cannot generalise the findings to humans as there is a large difference between the information processes that take place in the human mind as computers cannot make mistakes like humans do
How does the cognitive approach ignore other aspects?
Fails to tell us why cognitive processes take place as well as ignoring emotion and motivation
What are genes?
Heredity is the passing of characteristics from one generation to the next which is why offspring take after their parents in terms of psychological characteristics eg intelligence and aggression.
HOWEVER, the characteristics also depends on the environment
What is genotype and phenotype?
Genotype is the genetic code that is written in the DNA of an individual’s cells.
Phenotype- physical appearance which is from the inherited information
What are neurones?
Many aspects of behaviour are under neuronal control such as breathing eating and sex
What is the brain?
Largest part as the cerebrum makes up 85% it’s responsible for thought and language
Cerebral cortex is the outer surface of the cerebrum which is then divided into 2 hemispheres which are then divided into 4 lobes- frontal paretial temporal and occipital.
What is meant by neurochemistry?
Excitatory neurotransmitters trigger impulses and stimulate the brain. Inhibitory neurotransmitters stop impulses, making people more calm
They are released directing into the blood stream to stimulate receptors in cells that change the cell activity.
