Cognitive Flashcards
Scientific Study of Mental Processes
1) Cognitive approach argues that mental processes should be studied, e.g. studying perception and memory.
Role of Inference
1) Internal mental processes are ‘private’ & cannot be observed, so cognitive psychs study them indirectly by making inferences (assumptions) about what is going on inside ppl’s heads on the basis of their behaviour.
2) It is the process of using observation, evidence & reasoning to formulate understanding & reach conclusions.
Idea of Schema
1) Schema are packages of info developed through experience.
2) It refers to cognitive frameworks that help to organise & interpret info received by the cognitive system –> allows us to take shortcuts in interpreting vast amount of info in environment.
3) Babies are born with simple motor schema for innate behaviours such as sucking and grasping –> As we get older, our schema become more detailed and sophisticated.
E.g. You can have a schema for a lion which can include a tail, fangs etc. Then upon seeing an animal with the same features it can resemble the emotions you feel when seeing a lion like fear.
Evaluation of Schema
USEFUL BUT CAN BE DANGEROUS
1) Schemata is useful in our everyday life as schemas enable us to take cognitive shortcuts.
2) However, maladaptive schemata can lead to negative thoughts, bias and prejudice and can be a factor in many mental illnesses, especially depression, social phobias and OCD.
Strength of Cog
IRL APPLICATION - CBT
1) Cognitive approach is linked with an effective approach to therapy for disorders: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
2) CBT tries to solve problems such as anxiety and depression by changing people’s beliefs and habits, and tackling harmful patterns of thinking.
–> Wider application contributes to the value of the approach.
Theoretical Models
1) Suggests info flows through a sequence of stages that include input, storage and retrieval, as in the multi-store model.
Computer Models
1) Computer models refer to programmes that can be run on a computer to imitate the human mind (e.g. conversational machines to deal with consumer enquiries).
–> Allows psychs to test & predict their ideas about info processing.
Computer Analogy
1) Development of the first computers gave cognitive psychs a metaphor for describing mental processes.
Input –> Processing –> Output
2) We input, store & output info like a computer.
Limitation of Cog
APPROACH IS BASED ON MACHINE REDUCTIONISM
1) The computer analogy has been criticised.
2) Simplifies the human mind, factors (e.g. emotion and motivation) are not considered within the computer analogy.
—> Suggests that machine reductionism may weaken the validity of the cognitive approach.
Emergence of Cognitive Neuroscience
1) Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the influence of brain structures (neuro) on mental processes (cognition).
2) With advances in brain scanning tech in the last 20 years, scientists have been able to describe the neurological basis of mental processing.
–> fMRI brain scan allows people to do a cognitive task such as a memory or attention test in a brain scanner, so that researchers can see which parts of the brain are active.
3) Cognitive neuroscience (based on materialism) assumes that all cognitive processes are based on the activity of brain areas and their neurons.
Strengths of Cognitive Neuroscience
SUPPORTED BY BRAIN SCANS// MEDICAL STUDY// SCIENTIFIC
1) Can study ppl who’ve experienced damage to their brain by trauma - injuries can be mapped & activity can be monitored. Patients undergo cognitive tests (e.g. memory tests) whilst scanning so they can see brain activity - this can be compared to a normal brain.
2) Scanning techniques have also proved useful in establishing the neurological basis of some disorders, e.g. OCD.
3) 2 fields of biology and cognitive psych come together (cognitive neuroscience) to enhance the scientific basis of study.
—> Means the study of the mind has established a credible, scientific basis.
Strength of Cog
USES SCIENTIFIC & OBJECTIVE METHODS
1) Cognitive psychs have always employed controlled methods of study, e.g. lab studies, in order to infer cognitive processes at work.
2) In addition the 2 fields of biology and cognitive psych come together (cognitive neuroscience) to enhance the scientific basis of study.
—> Means the study of the mind has established a credible, scientific basis.
// Lack ecological validity - the settings are highly artificial (like computer models) so may not apply to real life situations.
Limitation
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
1) Does not take into account individual differences in cognition - People may differ in their mental processes.
