approaches lessons 5-8 Flashcards
what are inferences about cognitive mental processes
that the cognitive model might make assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed. ( it is difficult to gather data and evidence about inferences.
what is the key feature of the cognitive approach
in order to understand behaviour cognitive psychologists focus on attention, memory and how people perceive, store, manipulate and interpret information
what is the information processing model
information receive through senses which are processed by the brain
what are some assumptions of the cognitive approach
internal mental processes can be studied
mental processes can involve schema
theoretical and computer models can be used
what are schemas
packets of information/cognitive frameworks that are developed through experience and expectations about how we should behave. they can help us organise and interpret vast amounts of information.
what are role and event schemas
role: schema about behaviour that is expected from a particular role
event: schema about what to expect from event
evaluation of cognitive approach
advantages: emphasises lab experiments when collecting data so there is a high level of control and cause and effect can be identified so research is objective.
disadvantages: does not give full picture and scientists still need to make inferences about cognitive processing which might be based on limited information. idea of soft determinism which is the idea behaviour is constrained by the environment or biology.
study of role of schemas (bartlett)
lab setting. english pps asked to read native american folk tale called the war of the ghosts which was strange story. pps had to read story and recall after different lengths of time. results show all english pps changed story to fit own schema. order was changed to become more logical and ghosts were left out. words changed from canoes to cars and bows to guns.
evaluation of war of ghosts study
advantages: lab setting so IV highly controlled and highly reliable. strength of confirming how important schema theory is when investigating internal mental cognitive processes.
disadvantages: pps may be affected by demand characteristics as they might have guessed the aim of study. biased sample as only used english pps which cannot be generalised or other cultures.
similarities and differences between computer and mind
similarities: both have memory, input, output. both can malfunction
differences: ones metal and plastic the other is organic. one needs plugging in other does not. one has limited memory other has unlimited
information processing model
input: senses code information from environment
processing: information processed via schemas
output: behavioural response occurs
the emergence of cognitive neuroscience
emerged in 1971. looks at biological basis of thought processes (combines cognitive and biological approach) cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of influence of the brain structure in mental processes. area of brain can be mapped to locate specific cognitive functions.
evaluation of use of theoretical computer models and the emergence of cognitive neuroscience
advantages: can be applied to practical and theoretical contexts and has helped with development of AI. emphasises scientific methods and lab studies which give high levels of control
disadvantages: not accurate to compare humans to computer models. computers are mechanic and have no free will.
maguire study of taxi driver brains
wanted to investigate if brain anatomy was predetermined or whether the brain is susceptible to plastic changes in response to environmental stimulation. 32 healthy males split into two groups. one group were 16 licensed taxi drivers and the other 16 control group never driven taxi. mri scans done of brain and analysed. taxi drivers had larger right posterior hippocampus and longer taxi drivers had larger. this part of brain responsible for visual representation of environment.
evaluation of maguire study
advantages: research evidence to support idea of right posterior hippocampus is involved in spatial awareness. previous monkey and rodent studies found a correlation.
disadvantages: only studied males so lacks ecological validity and results can’t be generalised to females. lacks temporal validity as taxing drivers use sat nav’s now