Approaches: Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What is the cognitive approach?
A scientific study of internal mental processes
Why do inferences have to be made?
Mental processes are private and can’t be observed (e.g. memory, perception and thinking)
Conclusions are drawn on the basis of observed behaviour
State the 2 theoretical models
Information processing approach
Computer analogy
What is the information processing approach?
Suggests info flows through a sequence of stages that inc. input, storage, and retrieval. I.e MSM
Computer models
Similarities in the way computers and humans process info models use concepts of:
Central processing = the brain
Coding = turn info into usable format
Stores = hold info
What is a schema?
Packages of info developed through experience
They act as a mental framework
When does the schema get more detailed?
As you get older
Cognitive neuroscience
The scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes
Examples of cognitive neuroscience
Broca identified how damage to frontal lobe could permanantly impair speech production
What have advances in brain scanning technology lead to?
scientists able to describe the neurological basis of mental processing
helped establish neurological basis of some disorders
Example of describing the neurological basis of mental processing
Research in memory: linked episodic and semantic memories to opposite sides of pre-frontal cortex
Example of neurological basis of some disorders
Parahippocampal gyrus and OCD
A03: Scientific and objective methods used
lab studies used to infer cognitive processes (controlled)
Emergence of cognitive neuroscience: two fields of biology and cognitive psychology to come together
Study of the mind has a credible scientific basis
A03 machine reductionism
Computer analogy criticised
Human emotion not considered
Research shows memory affected by emotional factors (Anxiety EWT)
Oversimplifies cognitive processing, ignores aspects that influence performance
A03 processes inferred from behaviour observed in lab = lack ecological validity
Research carried out using artificial stimulus
recall of memory using wordlists not representing every day life lacks ecological validity
