Approaches- Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What do cognitivists rely heavily on?
Laboratory experiments.
Mental internal processes are private and cannot be observed so cognitive psychologist study them indirectly by making inferences. these are assumptions about what is going on in peoples mind the basis of their behaviour e.g. the Stroop test.
What is the Stroop test?
In a laboratory study of problem-solving, cognitive psychologist asked participants to solve problems presented in different colours of. They found that it took longer to solve problems presented to solve problems presented in other colours. That the mental processing of problems has made more difficult when is presented in green ink.
What is computer analogy?
Cognitive psychologist think the mind works like a computer stating the mind also has inputs-processes-outputs. This is known as the information processing model.
In internal mental processes, what is the role of theoretical models?
One way cognitive psychologist study internal processes is through the use of theoretical models which are visual representations of concepts. Examples include the multicore and the working memory models.
What is the role of schemas?
Cognitive emphasise the role of schema on our mental process.
A scheme is a cognitive framework (mental representation ) of ideas and information developed through experience. They help schemata help organise and interpret information in the brain.
AO3 schema.
What are the AO3 points about schemas?
Schemas enable us to process a lot of information quickly and this is useful as a sort of mental shortcut that prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.
Distort interpretations of sensory information leading to perceptual errors.
They can also lead to stereotyping in, therefore prejudice.
What does cognitive neuroscience have to do with the cognitive approach?
Comment neuroscience as a distinct academic field which scientifically studies the influence of brain structure and activity or mental processes.
The term cognitive neuroscience was coined by Miller (1976).
It involves the use of brain scanning technology such as PET and fMRI scans to show how different parts of the brain become active in different cognitive activities and emotions.
Has found the memories are stored in the right prefrontal cortex and semantic memories in the left prefrontal cortex.
What are the key 6 AO1 points?
Behaviour is influenced by thoughts that can be both conscious and non-conscious – internal mental processes.
Schemer are the mental representation of experience and knowledge and understanding.
Mental processes are information processing and the processing can be compared to that of a computer.
Models can be used to provide test for theories about mental processing and these can be studied scientifically and inferences made.
Cognition and biological processes can be integrated leading to cognitive neuroscience as a way forward to understanding human behaviour.
Methodology – use of controlled experimentation – inference about mental processes on the basis of observed behaviour.
[AO3 PEEL]
What is the strength of the cognitive approach in a peel structure?
P: a strength of the cognitive approach is that it is less deterministic than other approaches such as the behaviourist and sits more soft with determinism.
E: researchers consider the hard determined stance of the behaviourist approach – that free is an illusion – as an extreme position pointed to some element of free choice in our thoughts and behaviour.
E: however, free is also unlikely given the many and varied factors that exert and influence upon us.
L: the cognitive approach appears to offer a logical compromise debate in its suggestion that thoughts are freely chosen but only within the limits of our knowledge and experience.
