Approaches - The Cognitive Approach

Question 1

What does the cognitive approach suggest

Answer 1

Internal mental processes can and should be studied in a scientific way and this can be through making inferences and based n observed behaviour

Question 2

What does the cognitive approach mean ?

Answer 2

The term cognitive means mental processes

This approach is focused on how our metal processes such as thoughts perceptions and attention impact behaviour

Question 3

What are internal mental processes

Answer 3

Private operations of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response.

Question 4

What is the schema

Answer 4

A mental framework of beliefs and explanations that influence cognitive processing. They are developed from experience.

Question 5

What are the assumptions of the cognitive approach

Answer 5

Mind actively processes information from our senses

Internal and mental processes should be studied scientifically and objectively. They are separate from the brain

Meditational processes occurr between stimulus and response - what is happening between input into mind and out put of human behaviour

Humans are information processors and therefore resemble computers – information is
transformed, stored, and retrieved from memory.

Question 6

Give an example of a cognitive framework

Answer 6

The schema

Question 7

What is the role of the schema

Answer 7

Help organise and interpret information in the brain

Question 8

What are schemas learned through

Answer 8

They are learned through experience and become more sophisticated through time

Question 9

A persons expectation or beliefs can be influenced by what ?

Answer 9

Cognitive processes

Question 10

What do schemas allow us to do which is a positive

Answer 10

Allow us to take shortcuts when interpreting large amounts of information quickly and efficiently

This prevents us from being overwhelmed by
environment stimuli, thus avoiding sensory overload

Question 11

What can schemas lead to that could be seen as a negative

Answer 11

Perceptual errors and stereotypes where we make assumptions about people based on incomplete information because our schema can distort our interpretation of sensory information

Distorted perceptions

Question 12

What do cognitive psychologists often do to study internal processes ?

Answer 12

They often develop models

Question 13

What do theoretical models like the information processing approach suggest

Answer 13

Information flows through a sequence of stages that includes input storage and retrieval
Eg - the multi store model of memory

Question 14

What are computer models ?

Answer 14

Programmes that run on the computer and imitate the human mind
Computer a metaphor for the human mind

Question 15

What is the use of computer models

Answer 15

Psychologists can test whether their theories or hypotheses about information processing and mental processes are correct

Question 16

What i an example of a computer being similar to human mind

Answer 16

Computer uses coding to store information, humans use coding to store memories in different formats, semantic or acoustic

Question 17

What is cognitive neuroscience

Answer 17

The fusion of the cognitive approach anf biology

It is the scientific study of the influence of Brain structures that are responsible for cognitive processes

Question 18

How are neuroscientist now able to study the human brain

Answer 18

using brain imaging technology like positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). These help psychologists understand the neurological basis of mental processing.

Question 19

What has the focus of neuroscience now shifted towards to

Answer 19

The use of computer generate models that are designed to read the Brain.

Question 20

What have the computer generate models lead to ?

Answer 20

The development of brain finger printing which is a mind mapping technique

Question 21

What is a strength of the cognitive approach (practical)

Answer 21

The cognitive approach has been used in the treatment of psychological disorders.
explains
how faulty thinking processes can cause illnesses such a depression.

The cognitive approach has therefore led to the development of successful treatments, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

This shows that the cognitive approach has improved the lives of many individuals suffering from illnesses like depression.

Question 22

What is another strength of the cognitive approach (scientific)

Answer 22

The cognitive approach employs highly scientific and objective methods.

For example, lab experiments are used to produce reliable and objective data such as Peterson and Peterson’s research into the duration of memory.

High control of variables in experiments such as these mean that cause and effect can be easily established.
increases the validity of the results,
increases the support for the cognitive approach.

Question 23

what is a limitation of the cognitive approach

Answer 23

been criticised by many for being reductionist.

Although there are similarities between the human mind and a computer, this machine reductionism ignores other influences on cognition and how these affect mental processes.

Eg effect anxiety has an impact on accuracy of EWT.

This shows that the human mind is more complex than a machine

Question 24

What is anther limitation of the cognitive approach (everyday life)

Answer 24

It is difficult to apply the research from this approach to everyday life.

Making inferences about cognitive processes still involves some degree of subjective judgement about an abstract concept

and experiments often use artificial stimuli such as word lists to test memory.

The research from this approach may lack external validity. This in turn limits the usefulness of the cognitive approach as a whole.

Question 25

What is a strength of the cognitive approach (determinism)

Answer 25

The cognitive approach is less deterministic than other approaches.

is founded on soft determinism as it recognises that our cognitive system can only operate within the limits of what we know, but that we are free to think before responding to a stimulus.

more reasonable position than the hard determinism suggested by some other approaches where our behaviour is controlled by other things such as the unconscious mind, our environment or biology.

Question 26

Explain inference

Answer 26

When cognitive psychologists make assumptions about mental processes that cannot directly be observed.

For example cognitive psychologists are unable to directly observe processes like memory
Use observable behaviour to make inferences
Helps in producing theories

Question 27

Research methods evaluation of cognitive approach

Answer 27

High degree of control over variables
Cause and effect relationship established

Variables operationalised and processes standardised - measurements and finding more accurate and objective
Research easily replicated enhances reliability

Use of human rather than animals

Artificial stimuli in research
Ecological validity decreases