Approaches: Cognitive approach Flashcards
Assumptions of the cognitive approach?
- assumes all behaviour is driven by internal mental processes (cognitive primacy)
- main focus is on how the mind deals with information, and our abilities to use that information (cognitive processes)
- the approach believes we process information in a linear systematic way and uses the computer analogy to explain behaviour i.e human minds similar to computers complete with hardware and software.
- tends to use scientific research methods e.g. experiments to study observable, measurable behaviours and then make inferences about the internal mental processes underlying those behaviours
An inference is….
cognitive approach
going beyond the immediate evidence to make assumptions about mental process that cannot be directly observed
Summarise the computer analogy
It sees human minds similar to computers complete with hardware (organic matter in your skull) and software (cognitive processes). Hardware is essentially the same as everybody else’s but software differs slightly.Both computers and the brain have a ‘central processing unit’ and use the process of coding and have different stores to hold information.
Schema definition
a mental/cognitive structure which contains knowledge about an object, person, activity or even roles based on experience.
Strength for schemas
Bartlet (1932) expanded work on schemas and claimed they have a big role in how memories are encoded, stored and retrieved. He also argued that schemas allow us to make sense of the world and are used to help interpret and guide incoming information from all our senses; hence they help us simplify the world and can be viewed as cognitively efficient.
Weakness for schemas
However this means we are more likely to exclude information that does not conform to our pre-existing beliefs and ideas. In addition, because schemas help us fill-in-gaps in the absence of full information we create stereotypes that we find difficult to challenge
Explain cognitive neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscientists search for neuroanatomical (e.g. damage to brocas area), chemical (serotonin) and/or mechanisms (caudate nucleus) that are responsible for cognitive processes. Often cognitive neuroscientists will compare neurotypical and atypical individuals to compare and identify differences in brain regions whilst considering specific tasks. Atypical cases could include individuals who have experienced brain damage (KF /HM), disease or surgery.
3 ways of measuring the brain
- fMRI
- EEG
- Post-mortem exams
Evaluation point for cognitive approach: evidence
There is evidence to support the role of cognitive factors in behaviour. Cognitions are critical in many disorders- the temple Wisconsin study of depression found that 17% of uni students who went on to experience an episode of severe depression scored highly on tests assessing negative thinking patterns, compared to only 1% who scored low on such tests. This means that the approach has evidence to validate its claims and assumptions, unlike other approaches like the psychodynamic
Evaluation point for cognitive approach: cannot be directly observed
However, internal COGNITIVE processes cannot be directly observed, only INFERRED from behaviour.
For example, when investigating the working memory model as an explanation of short term memory, Bunge et al (2000) found that there was significantly more activity in the brain when two tasks were being performed than when only one task was done.
Whilst the existence of a central executive requiring more brain activity may be inferred from this, it has not actually been directly ,measured and so these conclusions may not be valid.
Evaluation point for cognitive approach: Practical applications
The cognitive approach has led to significant PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS that have helped society.
findings from research into factors that distort the accuracy of EWT have helped society in many ways e.g. the development of more effective ways to interview eyewitnesses like the cognitive interview which has resulted in more accurate EWT’s.
This means that the cognitive approach has proved to be valuable to society and helps society function.
Evaluation point for cognitive approach: Mechanical reductionism
The cognitive approach suffers from cognitive MECHANICAL REDUCTIONISM.
As the approach focuses exclusively on thought processes, it neglects to consider proven factors that influence behaviour such as unconscious processing and emotional factors. For instance, although cognitions may often dictate feelings and behaviours, sometimes feelings can dictate our thinking patterns as well.
This means that although the approach provides valuable insights, it offers an incomplete explanation of behaviour.
Evaluation point for cognitive approach:the cognitive approach is of huge importance when explaining all behaviour
Theoretically the cognitive approach has helped develop psychology and different approaches within it. E.g/ learning approach, SLT has been made possible by the focus on cognitive aspects. Namely the role of attention and memory functions in the acquisition of behaviour. As such we could argue that the cognitive approach is of huge importance when explaining all behaviour.
