Approaches: Cognitive Approach

Question 1

What is the cognitive approach?

Answer 1

The cognitive approach in psychology is a relatively modern approach to human behaviour that focuses on how we think. It assumes that our thought processes affect the way in which we behave.

Question 2

What are assumptions of the cognitive approach?

Answer 2

• Mental processes are ‘private’.
• Our internal mental process are affected by schema.
• Processes of mind similar to a computer.

Question 3

What is internal mental processes?

Answer 3

How information received from our senses is proceeded by the brain and how this processing directs how we behave.

Question 4

How does the cognitive approach see humans as?

Answer 4

Humans are basically seen as information processors.

Question 5

What does internal mental processes also look at?

Answer 5

Look at how cognitive functions work together to help us make sense of the world.

Question 6

What are schemas?

Answer 6

Schema are the mental representation of experience and knowledge and understanding.

Question 7

What do schemas help us do?

Answer 7

Help us predict what will happen in the world based on past experience.

Question 8

How do schemas develop?

Answer 8

Schemas develop and evolve with experience. They become more detailed and sophisticated.

Question 9

Give examples on how are schemas useful?

Answer 9

• Help us take shortcuts in thinking.

- Help predict what will happen in our world based on our experiences.

Question 10

What models are used/refereed to in cognitive approach?

Answer 10

Theoretical and computer model.

Question 12

What are cognitive processes an example of?

Answer 12

Theoretical models. E.g. multi store model of memory.

Question 13

What are the 3 words that link a similarity between the brain and computers?

Answer 13

• Input.
• Coding.
• Storage.

Question 14

What are some limits of the computer model?

Answer 14

-Computers do not forget things as humans and don’t have emotions like humans.

Question 15

What is cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 15

Is the scientific study of relating brain structure on our mental processes.

Question 16

Give a practical application of cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 16

-Use of scanning/imaging techniques to study mental processing patients with depression or OCD or in children with autism or dyslexia.

Question 17

What have nueroimaging techniques helped?

Answer 17

Helped us study the influence of the brain structures on mental processes.

Question 18

What are strengths of cognitive approach?

Answer 18

• Uses highly scientific methods.

- Approach has developed into the most dominant approach within psychology. Further development as technology develops.

Question 19

What are weaknesses of cognitive approach?

Answer 19

• Lab experiments can be criticised for being artificial (lack ecological validity).
• Findings can be influenced by demand characteristics.

Question 20

What negatives can schemas cause?

Answer 20

• Can lead to faulty conclusions & unhelpful behaviour.

- Schema can distort our interpretation of sensory information

Question 21

What has the cognitive theory that the internal mental processes work similarly to a computer led to?

Answer 21

Has led to a focus on the way information is ‘coded’.