Approaches Booklet 2: The Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What are the overall assumptions of the Cognitive Approach?
-Developed 1950s, focusses on the internal processes of human mind
-Thoughts influence behavior
-Human mind is similar in operation to a computer
-Unlike behavioural approach, believes these can be scientificially studied
Why do cognitive approach researchers believe the human mind is similar in operation to a computer?
Because of its similar inputs, processing and outputs
What are the different AO1 points for cognitive approach?
-Internal mental processes
-Theoretical models
-Computer Models
-Schema
-Cognitive Neuroscience
Explain internal mental processes for the cognitive approach AO1…
The cognitive approach studies information processing (way we extract, store and retrieve information)
How do cognitive psychologists study internal mental processes?
-Since these processes are private and can’t be directly observed, they study these indirectly.
-This is done by looking at behaviour and making inferences about internal processes that caused that behaviour
What do theoretical models do in cognitive psychology?
Theoretical models make inferences by looking at behaviour and examining the thought processes that happen in the mind
How do theoretical models usually work?
They typically have distinct steps, suggesting that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages
What is an example of a theoretical model that could be explained for AO1?
The MSM (Multi-Store Model of Memory)
Explain computer models in cognitive psychology
-Cognitive approach uses computer models to make inferences about internal mental processes
-This is where the mind is compared to a computer, suggesting there are similarities
What are schema?
A schema is a building block of knowledge about something that is built up through our own experiences
What happens to schema as we grow older?
They increase as we have had more experience so our knowledge and internal assumptions are greater
Why do we have schema?
They act as a framework of how to act in certain situations, allowing us to know how to interpret info when there is gaps
When is schema useful?
-Predict what will happen in the world based on our experiences (how to behave in certain places)
-Help us to prevent being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli (foreign airport)
-Processing information very fast
When is schema not useful?
-Eye-witnesses
-Prejudice/steroetypes
What is cognitive neuroscience?
-The scientific study of brain structures, processes and chemistry that are responsible for mental processes
