approaches - the cognitive approach Flashcards
what are the assumptions of the cognitive approach?
internal processes should be studies scientifically - investigates areas neglected by behaviourism (memory, perception, thinking)
internal processes are studied indirectly by making inferences based on behaviour
key term - schema
a mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing
developed from experience
how do schema change over time?
babies are born with simple motor schema for innate behaviours
schema become more detailed as we grow older - developed from experience
what is the purpose of schema?
enable us to process lots of information quickly
prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
what issue can schema lead to?
can distort our interpretations of sensory information and lead to perceptual errors
what are theoretical models?
simplified representations of cognitive processes based on current research
- e.g working memory model
what is the information processing approach?
example of a theoretical model
suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages
what are computer models?
the process of using computer analogies as a representation of human cognition
have been used in the development of AI
what is cognitive neuroscience?
the scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes
e.g Broca’s area is linked to language and damage to the area can impair speech production
how have brain imaging techniques developed cognitive neuroscience?
allow scientists to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes
e.g Buckner and Peterson (1996) used brain imaging to show how episodic and semantic memory may be located on opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex
how have scanning techniques contributed to cognitive neuroscience?
helped establish a neurological basis for mental disorders
e.g link drawn between parahippocampal gyrus and OCD
what is a recent development in cognitive neuroscience?
use of computer-generated models designed to ‘read’ the brain
this has led to ‘brain fingerprinting’ which can be applied to analysing the brain wave patterns of eyewitnesses to determine whether they are lying in court
strength - scientific
highly controlled lab studies to make inferences, and produce reliable and objective data
cognitive neuroscience blends biology and cognitive psychology to enhance the scientific basis of the study
limitation - lacks external validity
relies on inferences rather than objective observation, so data may be too theoretical and subjective
research involves artificial stimuli which may not be representative of everyday life
strength - real-world application
computer models have contributed to the development of AI, which would revolutionise how we live in the future
applied to treatment of depression (CBT)
helped improve the reliability of EWT through CI
limitation - machine reductionism
ignores influence of human emotion and motivation in the cognitive system and how this affects our ability to process information
- e.g effect of anxiety on EWT
