Approaches- The Cognitive Theory Flashcards

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1
Q

Cognitive theorist argue that behavior is a result of what?

A

internal mental processes

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2
Q

The study of internal mental processes

A

internal mental processes are how information is used (processes) in the mind, including all conscious and unconscious thoughts.

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3
Q

Typical areas of research for cognitive psychologist are

A

attention, perception and memory

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4
Q

An advantage of the cognitive approach

A

is it is considered a scientific approach, this is due to the use of highly controlled experiments, for example many of the studies supporting the models of memory were conducted in a lab setting, with large sample sizes and used standardised materials.

This means many of the claims cognitive psychologists make are backed up by evidence with high internal validity

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5
Q

As internal mental processes cannot be directly observed, cognitive psychologists have to beyond the research evidence and use what?

A

Inferences; this is making assumptions about the internal mental processes that produced the participant behaviour observed in an experiment

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6
Q

Criticism of the cognitive approach

A

The cognitive approach faces criticism for relying on inferences, which are essentially educated guesses that could be wrong. This reliance on assumption mean cognitive psychology is often viewed as less scientific compared to behaviourism or biological psychology, which bases its theories on directly observable behaviors and physical processes.

However, inferences allowed cognitive psychologist to explore areas inaccessible to other approaches, such as internal mental processes, including thinking, problem-solving, memory, attention and perception. Also, advances in neuroimaging have led to many inferences being supported by later brain activity studies

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7
Q

Schema

A

Mental frameworks, collections of connected basic knowledge about a concept or object built from previous experience with the world

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8
Q

How do schemas work?

A

schemas work as mental shortcuts we use them to quickly understand and navigate the world and interact with people and objects, this means it doesn’t take too much mental energy to decide how to response to a range of situations

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9
Q

The role of schemas
-how schemas help

A

Processing environmental info
Predicting the future

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10
Q

The role of schemas
-how schemas cause problems

A

Leads to inaccurate recall
Negative schemas can lead to poor mental health

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11
Q

How schemas help process environmental info?

A

schemas allow us to engage with the world without being overwhelmed by sensory information, assigning objects to a schema (e.g chair) means we do not have to consciously work out exactly what each object is individually

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12
Q

How schemas help us predict teh future?

A

as schemas are based on previous experiences, they allow us to make assumptions about what objects and people will do in similar situations. These are often accurate as others act according to similar schemas (e,g teacher)

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13
Q

How do schemas lead to inaccurate recall?

A

Assumptions due to schemas can influence memory, a particular problem for Eyewitness Testimony (EWT) , people may feel they are remembering accurately however their recall has been altered by leading questions

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14
Q

How do negative schemas lead to poor mental health?

A

Beck argues people with depression have faulty schemas that bias their thinking about themselves, others and the future. For example, they always think of themselves as inadequate or unworthy

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15
Q

What does the cognitive theory use to explain and make inferences about mental processes?

A

The cognitive theory uses theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes

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16
Q

The use of theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes allows psycholgists to do what

A

Psychologists are then able to make educated guesses (INFERENCES) about the internal mental activities based on observable behaviours

By assuming the mind operates similarly to a computer or follows a logical, fixed sequence of stages, cognitive psychologists are guided in their interpretation of participants’; behaviour in studies.

17
Q

The computer model is an

A

analogy between the operation of a computer’s central processing unit (CPU) running software programs and the human brain conducting internal mental processes

-the computer and the mind also process information through a sequence of programmed steps

18
Q

What does the comparison of the human brain conducting internal mental processes to a computer’s CPU suggest ?

A

this comparison suggest both systems receive inputs and generates outputs

19
Q

Evaluation for the computer model analogy

A

computer model is criticised for being overly simplistic
-MACHINE REDUCTIONIST
-critics argue that the human brain is significantly more complex than any computer and the human mind is capable of consciousness and emotions,which can lead to irrational behaviours
-also while computers and humans may share certain features, the nature of these features is very different

-e.g human memory is flawed and is reconstructive. whereas computer memory can store and recall information with perfect accuracy

20
Q

Theoretical models

A

are flow chart representations of the steps of a specific mental process

e.g is the multi-store model of memory, which shows how sensory input, if not forgotten progresses from short-term memory on long-term memory before it’s retrieved

21
Q

Evaluation
Theoretical models

A

theoretical models generate testable hypothesis, allowing each assumption to be systematically and scientifically tested

-if the observed behaviour matches the model’s predictions, it suggest the model is valid

-if behavior contradicts the model, the model can be adjusted

22
Q

Cognitive neuroscience aims to

A

aims to scientifically identify and examine the neurological structures and chemical processes in the brain that are linked to internal mental processes. By integrating principle from both cognitive psychology and neuroscience, cognitive neurosciences seeks to understand how the brain’s physical and chemical structure influences thoughts, memories, emotions and behaviours

23
Q

The emergence of cognitive neuroscience is due to

A

is due to the development of brain scanning techniques; PET and fMRI scanners allow researchers to give participants cognitive tasks and observe activity in the different areas of the brain

24
Q

Evaluation of Cognitive neuroscience

A

has confirmed the link between brainstrcutures and mental processes, traditionally explored by studying individuals with unique brain injuries

a famous case is ‘Tan’ who could only say ‘Tan’ due to speech production. issues - after his death an autopsy showed damage in know what is known as the Broca’s area, named after his doctor

-today imaging shows that Broca’s area activate in healthy brains during language production; this direct observation using scientific and objective tools verifies Broca’s area role in speech

25
Q

Evaluation for PET research

A

Tulving’s PET rs has revealed specific brain activity patterns for directing long-term memory types: episodic, semantic and procedural.

-This works supports the idea of multiple, distinct long-term memory systems, each with a unique brain processing system

-Tulving’s findings emphasise the complexity of memory and demonstrate how neuroscience can uncover how the brain produces various cognitive functions

26
Q

Evaluation
Scientific

A

cognitive psych is scientific but it is highly controlled research methods can be artificial

-for instance, memory studies often involve recalling sequences like long digits or random words, take that dont mirror faily memory use

-while these studies reveal how memory and other cognitive processes function in controlled settings, their findings lack EXTERNAL VALIDITY, not being generalisable to everyday cognitive tasks and real-life memory usage

27
Q

Evaluation
PRACTICAL Real-world applications

A

Cognitive psych has PRACTICAL Real-world applications
-understanding schemas has led to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
-where therapist help clients change negative thought patterns
-insights into how schemas affect EWT accuracy have informed jury instructions,
-helping prevent wrongful convictions
-additionally cognitive neuroscience research aids in creating treatments for language and memory disorders and supports the developments of neuarl networks for artificial intelligence

28
Q

EVALUATIONS
-cog psychs and soft determinism

A

-cog psychs support soft determinism
-recognising that behaviour is partly determined by biology and the environment, they believe experiences create schemas, in the brain’s sociological structure, yet they also suggest thought processes provide personal control over actions

-this principle forms the foundation of CBT empathising empowerment by emphasising clients with strategies to modify their thought patterns

-consequently, clients play an active role in their recovery; this can be contrasted with the passive nature of drug treatments based solely on biological determinism