Cognative Approach

Question 1

What is a schema?

Answer 1

• A schema contains all the information you know about an object, action or concept, e.g. schema for riding a bike contains all the information you need to ride a bike.
• Schema helps you organise and interpret information and experiences.

Question 2

What happens when information presented is consistent with your schema?

Answer 2

It’s ASSIMILATED into the schema, strengthens the schema.

Question 3

What happens when information presented is inconsistent with the schema?

Answer 3

-The information is ACCOMMODATION and the schema changes in order to resolve the problem. -E.g. a child sees a green apple for the first time. The schema is now a round edible object that is either red or green.

Question 4

What are the 3 types of Schema?

Answer 4

Role Schema:
These are ideas about the behaviour which is expected from someone in a certain role setting or situation e.g. doctors expected to be smart respectable sensitive.

Event Schema:
Also called scripts. They contain information about what happens in a situation. e.g. when in a restaurant you will need to read menu and place order.

Self Schema:
Contains information about ourselves based on physical characteristics and personality, as well as beliefs and values. Effect how you will act, e.g. self schema says your health oriented so you eat well and extensive often.

Question 5

What are the problems with schemas?

Answer 5

• Schemes can prevent people learning new information.
• Schemas can cause prejudice and stereotypes. A schema which holds expectations about a certain subgroup of people may bias the way we process incoming information. People are more likely to listen to information that assimilates the schema.

Question 6

What was Bartlett (1932) experiment? - War of the Ghosts

Answer 6

• English participants asked to read Native American folk tale, called ‘The War of the Ghosts’.
• Unfamiliar story, strange names, ideas and objects.
• The participants were asked to recall the story after different lengths of time.

Question 7

What was the results and conclusion of Bartlett’s experiment on war of the Ghosts?

Answer 7

• All of the participants changed story to fit their schema.
• Details of story became more English, containing English culture, details and emotions.
• As length of time increased amount of info decreased.
• People used their schemas to help interpret and remember the world around them.
• Lacked ecological validity, done in lab.

Question 8

What are the 3 main research methods of cognitive approach?

Answer 8

1. Laboratory experiments.
2. Field experiments.
3. Natural experiments.

Question 9

What are the 3 key principles of the cognitive approach?

Answer 9

1. Our mental systems have limited capacity.
2. A control mechanism oversees all mental processes.
3. There is a two way flow of information.