Cognitive

Question 1

What does the cognitive approach look at?

Answer 1

The internal workings of the mind.

Question 2

How does the cognitive approach explain behaviour?

Answer 2

Through cognitive processes and by looking at our perception, language, attention and memory.

Question 3

What do cognitive psychologists use to test behaviour scientifically?

Answer 3

Experimental procedures and methods.

Question 4

How is the cognitive approach reductionist?

Answer 4

It compares the mind to a computer.

Question 5

How does the cognitive approach compare the mind to a computer.

Answer 5

It treats humans as information processors and behaviour is explained in terms of information processing, similarly to computers.

Question 6

How are mental processes that lead to particular behaviours explained and inferred? Why?

Answer 6

Through computer and theoretical models since they can’t be observed easily.

Question 7

What are the three main research methods?

Answer 7

• Laboratory experiments.
• Field experiments.
• Natural experiments.

Question 8

Evaluate laboratory experiments.

Answer 8

• Very scientific and reliable as it’s possible to have control over variables.
• Doesn’t tell us much about the real world and therefore has low ecological validity.

Question 9

Evaluate field experiments.

Answer 9

Take place in a natural situation so therefore have more ecological validity, however, there’s less control over variables.

Question 10

Evaluate natural experiments.

Answer 10

They have high ecological validity, but they’re not reliable due to little control over variables.

Question 11

What are the principles of the cognitive approach?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Explain the principle of our mental system having a limited capacity.

Answer 12

The amount of information that can be processed will be influenced by how demanding the task is and how much other information is being processed.

Question 13

Explain the principle of a control mechanism overseeing all mental processes.

Answer 13

More processing power is required for new tasks, leaving less available for everything else.

Question 14

Explain the principle of there being a two-way flow of information.

Answer 14

• We take in information from the world, process and react to it.
• We also use our knowledge and experiences to understand the world.

Question 15

How is the brain described in relation to data input and output?

Answer 15

It’s described as a processor that has data input into it and output from it.

Question 16

What do some parts of the brain form?

Answer 16

Networks (interconnected parts).

Question 17

How can some part of the brain work?

Answer 17

• Sequentially (information travels along just one path).
• In parallel (information travels to and fro along lots of paths at the same time).

Question 18

What is meant by the brain working sequentially?

Answer 18

One process must finish before another starts, this occurs in demanding or unknown tasks.

Question 19

What is meant by the brain working sequentially?

Answer 19

One process must finish before another starts.

Question 20

When does the brain work sequentially?

Answer 20

When a task is more demanding or unknown.

Question 21

When does the brain work in parallel?

Answer 21

When a task is familiar.

Question 22

What are the differences between humans and computers?

Answer 22

• Humans are often influenced by emotional and motivational factors, unlike computers.
• Humans have an unlimited but unreliable memory, whereas computers have a limited but reliable memory.
• Humans have free will, unlike computers.

Question 23

What does a schema contain?

Answer 23

All the information you know about an object, action or concept.

Question 24

What is the role of a schema?

Answer 24

To organise and interpret information and experiences.

Question 25

What happens when information is consistent with a schema?

Answer 25

It is assimilated into the schema.

Question 26

What happens when information is inconsistent with a schema?

Answer 26

The schema has to change in order to resolve the problem.

Question 27

What are the different types of schema?

Answer 27

• Role schemas.
• Event schemas.
• Self schemas.

Question 28

What is a role schema?

Answer 28

Ideas about the expected behaviour from someone in a certain role, setting or situation.

Question 29

What is an event schema (scripts)?

Answer 29

Contain information about what happens in a situation.

Question 30

What is a self schema?

Answer 30

Contain information about ourselves based on physical characteristics and personality, as well as beliefs and values.

Question 31

What are the weaknesses of schemas?

Answer 31

• Prejudice and stereotypes can be an outcome.
• May be more likely to pay attention to information we can easily assimilate.

Question 32

What methods does cognitive neuroscience use?

Answer 32

Lesion studies, electrophysiology and neuroimaging.

Question 33

What are lesion studies?

Answer 33

Looking at people with brain damage to see how behaviour is affected.

Question 34

What is electrophysiology?

Answer 34

Using electric and magnetic fields to measure brain activity and brain waves.

Question 35

What is neuroimaging?

Answer 35

Pinpointing areas of the brain which are active when a task is performed.

Question 36

What are the strengths of the cognitive approach?

Answer 36

• Considers mental approaches which are often overlooked in other approaches.
• Has had a big influence on the development of therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy.

Question 37

What are the weaknesses of the cognitive approach?

Answer 37

• Research is often carried out in artificial situations and the role of emotion and influence from other people is often ignored.
• Fails to take individual differences into account by assuming that all of us process stuff in exactly the same way.