approaches -cognitive approach

Question 1

what is the cognitive approach based on?

Answer 1

.internal mental processes

Question 2

how are the internal mental processes studied?

Answer 2

.mental processes cannot be observed as they’re inside your head so inferences and assumptions are made

Question 3

what does the cognitive approach develop?

Answer 3

.develops theoretical models to help us understand the mind

Question 4

what are theoretical models?

Answer 4

.visual representations/diagrams to explain information processing

Question 5

what does the cognitive approach use?

Answer 5

.uses the computer analogy

Question 6

what is the computer analogy?

Answer 6

.the idea that the mind acts like a computer with inputs and outputs of information where it can be coded and stored

Question 7

what is the centre of the approach?

Answer 7

schema

Question 8

what is a schema?

Answer 8

.unit of information/knowledge about aspects of the world based on experience

Question 9

what does a schema allow us to do?

Answer 9

.gives us mental framework for us to interpret information

Question 10

how can internal mental processes be scientifically measured?

Answer 10

.cognitive neuroscience

Question 11

what is cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 11

.scientific study of the influence of brain structures on internal mental processes using brain scans eg:FMRI

Question 12

what are the strengths to the cognitive approach?

Answer 12

.RWA -led to CBT, an effective talking therapy for depression (March et al)
.uses scientific methods -controlled methods such as lab experiments used and brain scans in cognitive neuroscience which gives psychology credibility

Question 13

what are the negatives to the cognitive approach?

Answer 13

.although some methods are scientific still relies on inference so not fully scientific
.machine reductionism -oversimplifies the human body and how it works, much more complex than that