Approaches - cognitive approach Flashcards
What is the cognitive approach?
The term ‘cognitive’ has come to mean ‘mental processes’ so this approach is focused on how our mental processes affect behaviour
What does internal mental processes mean?
Private operations of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response
Role of schema
Packages of info that act as cognitive frameworks to helps us organise and interpret info that is coming in from the environment
Schemata develops with age…
- Starting with simple, innate, motor schema (grabbing/wiggling our toes/sucking things)
- They are developed through experience and help us respond appropriately e.g a chair, wedding, egg e.t.c
Our schema process and catalog info really quickly via cognitive shortcuts such as assumptions and stereotypes
- however this can lead to interpretations being distorted and incorrect
Inference
The process of drawing conclusions about what is going on inside someone’s mind, based on their observed behaviour
Why is the behaviourist approach in direct contrast to the cognitive approach?
Cognitive approach argues that mental processes should be studied e.g perception and memory
What theoretical model can be used to explain mental processes?
The info flows through a sequence of stages that include input, storage and retrieval, as in the multi store model
- diagrams which represent the steps involved in internal mental processes
Computer model to explain the mental processes
Refer to programmes that can be run on a computer to imitate the human mind
By running such a programme psychologists can test their ideas about information processing
What is the emergence of cognitive neuroscience
Scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes
Advances in brain imaging techniques such as FMRI and PET scans which have allowed scientists to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes
e.g Tulving - episodic and semantic memory are located on opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex
Understanding of psychiatric disorders - link between the Para hippocampal gyrus (unpleasant emotions) and development of OCD
More recent years - cognitive neuroscience has expanded to include the use of computational models -> development of mind mapping techniques (brain fingerprinting) -> measure brain waves of EWT in court (whether they are lying) e.g
What are the strengths of the cognitive approach (2)
- Uses scientific and objective methods
- Real life application
Strength of the cognitive approach: Uses scientific and objective methods
- explain this
P: A strength of the cognitive approach is that it is based on scientific evidence and methods
E: For example, it uses highly controlled scientific techniques, such lab tests, to produce reliable and unbiased data. High levels of control enable standardised procedures that may be repeated later to assess the validity of the results.
E: Additionally, it allows us to control extraneousvariables, which helps in enabling us to draw strong cause and effect relationships in experiments
L: As a result, we can haveconfidence in the findings of scientific techniquesalong with the cognitive approach. It not only strengthens its validity but also gives psychology credibility in the field of science.
Strength of the cognitive approach: Real life application
- explain this
P: A key strength of the cognitive approach is that is has real life application. As it is dominant in psychology today application has been made to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts
E: CBT is one type of therapy that has been developed as a result of study into incorrect cognitions and the cognitive explanation of depression. Numerous people who have been impacted by depression have benefited from these treatments
E: The fact that Davies’ research demonstrates that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a successful treatment for depression also supports the fundamental principles of the cognitive approach by demonstrating that accurate underlying theories are necessary for CBT to be effective in the first place.
L: This illustrates how the cognitive approach may be used in practical situations rather than just being theoreticalideas.
Limitations of the cognitive approach (2)
- Machine reductionism
- Relies on inference of mental process rather than direct observation of behaviour
Limitation of the cognitive approach: Machine reductionism
- explain this
P: One limitation of the cognitive approach is that it is based on machine reductionism
E: The comparison between the functioning of a computer and the human mind has drawn criticism from a number of areas. The approach reduces everything down to a simple computer analogy by ignoring the impact of human emotion and motivation on behaviour.
E: Thoughts and emotions can influence how we process information; for example, anxiety and other emotional aspects might have an impact on a person’s memory
L: This implies that the cognitive approach’s validity may be affected by machine reductionism.
Counterpoint to the approach being a scientific method
Limitation of the cognitive approach: Relies on inference of mental process rather than direct observation of behaviour
- explain this
P: However cognitive psychology relies on the inferennce of mental processes rather than direct observation of behaviour
E: Theories are hard to assess since mental processes are hiddenand difficult to measure. This implies that the researcher must draw conclusions that might be subjective.
E: Savage-Rumbaugh, for instance, tested language acquisition using the signals displayed; but, in practice, it is impossible to tell what Kanzi or any other bonobo (apes) is truly thinking.
L: Therefore weakening the external validity
