Approaches- The Cognitive Theory Flashcards
Cognitive theorist argue that behavior is a result of what?
internal mental processes
The study of internal mental processes
internal mental processes are how information is used (processes) in the mind, including all conscious and unconscious thoughts.
Typical areas of research for cognitive psychologist are
attention, perception and memory
An advantage of the cognitive approach
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
As internal mental processes cannot be directly observed, cognitive psychologists have to beyond the research evidence and use what?
Inferences; this is making assumptions about the internal mental processes that produced the participant behaviour observed in an experiment
Criticism of the cognitive approach
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
Schema
Mental frameworks, collections of connected basic knowledge about a concept or object built from previous experience with the world
How do schemas work?
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
The role of schemas
-how schemas help
Processing environmental info
Predicting the future
The role of schemas
-how schemas cause problems
Leads to inaccurate recall
Negative schemas can lead to poor mental health
How schemas help process environmental info?
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
How schemas help us predict teh future?
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)
How do schemas lead to inaccurate recall?
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
How do negative schemas lead to poor mental health?
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
What does the cognitive theory use to explain and make inferences about mental processes?
The cognitive theory uses theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes
The use of theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes allows psycholgists to do what
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.
The computer model is an
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
What does the comparison of the human brain conducting internal mental processes to a computer’s CPU suggest ?
this comparison suggest both systems receive inputs and generates outputs
Evaluation for the computer model analogy
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
Theoretical models
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
Evaluation
Theoretical models
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
Cognitive neuroscience aims to
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
The emergence of cognitive neuroscience is due to
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
Evaluation of Cognitive neuroscience
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
Evaluation for PET research
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
Evaluation
Scientific
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
Evaluation
PRACTICAL Real-world applications
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
EVALUATIONS
-cog psychs and soft determinism
-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
