Approaches: The Cognitive approach

Question 1

What’s the cognitive approach?

Answer 1

Focuses on how our mental processes effect behaviour. It argued that internal mental processes (operations of the mind) should be measured scientifically. It was developed in reaction to the behaviourist approach.

Question 2

What are the key assumptions of the cognitive approach?

Answer 2

-Information received from our senses is processed by the brain and that this processing directs behaviour.
-These internal processes can’t be observed directly but we can infer what a person is thinking based on how they act.

Question 3

What are theoretical models is the cognitive approach?

Answer 3

A way of studying internal processes.

Information processing approach —> suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages that include input, storage and retrieval.

Question 4

What’s an example of a theoretical model?

Answer 4

Multi store model of memory and working memory model are examples of theoretical models and are simplified representations based on current research evidence.

Question 5

What are the key qualities of theoretical models?

Answer 5

Theoretical models are often pictorial representations with boxes and arrows to indicate cause and effect or the stages of particular mental processes.

Question 6

What are computer models?

Answer 6

The mind is compared to a computer —> use concepts of a central processing unit (brain), the concept of coding and the use of stores to hold information.

Question 7

What are schemas?

Answer 7

cognitive framework that helps us to organise and interpret information

Question 8

What are schemas based on?

Answer 8

previous experience

Question 9

How can schemas affect cognitive processing?

Answer 9

Schemas enable us to process lots of information quickly, which is useful as it prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.

However, schemas may also distort our interpretations of sensory information, leading to perceptual errors.

Question 10

What are the 6 mental processes?

Answer 10

1) Perception
2) Attention
3) Memory
4) Language
5) Thinking
6) Problem solving

Question 11

What is cognitive processing?

Answer 11

The scientific study of biological structures that support cognitive processes.

Question 12

How are non-invasive neuroimaging techniques used?

Answer 12

Helps understand the brain and supports different cognitive activities and emotions by showing what parts of the brain become active in certain circumstances.

Question 13

Examples of non-invasive neuroimaging techniques

Answer 13

PET
fMRI

Question 14

How have PET and fMRI scanning been used in psychological research?

Answer 14

Scientists have been able to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes.

This helps psychologists understand how the brain supports different cognitive activities and emotions by showing what parts of the brain become active.

Question 15

What are the 4 AO3 points for the cognitive approach?

Answer 15

+Highly scientific
+Practical applications
-Lacks ecological validity
-Ignores emotion and motivation

Question 16

(+AO3) How is the cognitive approach highly scientific?

(Use of scientific method)

Answer 16

Cognitive psychologists’ emphasis on scientific methods is a strength of the approach.

The use of the experimental method provides researchers with a rigorous (thorough and careful) method for collecting and evaluating evidence in order to reach accurate conclusions about how the mind works.

Therefore, the use of the scientific method allows for a more reliable and valid theory.

Question 17

(+AO3) What are the practical application for the cognitive approach?

(CBT)

Answer 17

Led to the development of CBT which has shown success in treating depression by helping patients replace their irrational thoughts with rational ones.

CBT has a lower relapse rate than drug therapy alone. Therefore, the idea of internal mental processes affecting behaviours can be used to improve the lives of people in the real world.

Question 18

(-AO3) How does the cognitive approach lack ecological validity?

(Based off of lab studies —> Peterson and Peterson)

Answer 18

Theories based in the cognitive approach like the WMM are often based on lab studies, but these results may not translate to real life.

For example, experiments in memory use artificial test (e.g. Peterson + Peterson’s study into duration) that are relatively meaningless in everyday life. As a result, it may be unlikely that research regarding the cognitive approach could be generalised to real-life situations.

Therefore, a criticism of the cognitive approach could be it’s lack of ecological validity.

Question 19

(-AO3) How does the cognitive approach ignore emotion and motivation?
How is this a limit of the cognitive approach?

Answer 19

The cognitive approach tells us how different cognitive processes take place but now why.

The role of emotion and motivation is largely ignored. The lack of focus on motivational states may produce an oversimplified approach and therefore, would be a criticism of the cognitive approach.