Approaches - Cognitive

Question 1

What is the definition of the cognitive approach?

Answer 1

A psychological approach that focuses on the internal mental processes and perception affected behaviour.

Question 2

What is the role of the schema?

Answer 2

Creates short cuts, allows information to be packaged and processed rapidly

Question 3

What are the problems with schemas?

Answer 3

can distort interpretation of sensory info
lead to innacurate EWT
biased recall
may have bad effect on mental health

Question 4

How come we can read words even if they are jumbled letters?

Answer 4

The brain uses schemas from the long term memory to find words that are similar

Question 5

What are some strengths of the cognitive approach?

Answer 5

scientific: controlled lab experiments, experimental methods, accurate and reliable conclusions, based on evidence
several applications: AI+robots, treatment of OCD and depression (CBT), improved reliability of EWT

Question 6

What are some weaknesses to the cognitive approach?

Answer 6

lab tests may lack ecological validity
limitations of computer models (no emotions, pays more attention to all inputs)
ignores emotions and motivation - fails to explain why

Question 7

What is cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 7

how brain structures are involved in mental processes

Question 8

What brain imaging scans are there?

Answer 8

fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

Question 9

What part(s) of the brain is phobia associated with?

Answer 9

amygdala (stress hormones and survival)

Question 10

What part(s) of the brain is language associated with?

Answer 10

left hemisphere (+ right)
Brocas area, insulator cortex, wernicks area

Question 11

What part(s) of the brain is OCD associated with?

Answer 11

prefrontal lobe in orbifrontal cortex (feels as if you made a mistake)

Question 12

What part(s) of the brain is depression associated with?

Answer 12

amygdala, hippocampus and dorsomedial thalamus

Question 13

What was Eleanor McGuire’s (2000) research into cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 13

16 rh male taxi drivers with 1.5+ years drive
50 rh males who did not drive
larger hippocampi in taxi drivers (larger if more time driving)

Question 14

Why should we be careful about using fMRI scans to determine behaviour?

Answer 14

Some parts of the brain may be active, but not what causes it