Cognitive Approach

Question 1

What is the cognitive approach

Answer 1

• Cognitive approach argues mental processes can be studied scientifically.
• It is concerned with internal mental processes such as thoughts, perception, memory and attention
• Behaviour can only be understood through understanding the thought processing that happens before it. The cause of behaviour can therefore be determined through making inferences. Inferences go beyond the immediate evidence to make assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed.
• The mind works like a computer in that it has an input from our senses which it processes to produce an output such as behaviour.

Question 2

Cognitive approach - Theoretical models

Answer 2

• Theoretical models in cognitive psychology are simplified representations based on current research evidence
• Models are often pictorial in nature, represented by boxes and arrows that indicate cause and effect in mental processes.
• One way to study internal processes is through the use of theoretical models. One important theoretical model is the information processing approach, which suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in sequence of stages that include input, storage and retrieval.

Question 3

Cognitive approach - Computer models

Answer 3

• The mind is compared to a computer
• Using computers as an analogy, information is inputted through the senses, coded into memory and then combined with previously stored information.
• Computer models have been useful in the development of artificial intelligence

Question 4

Cognitive approach- Schema

Answer 4

• Schemas are mental representation of what will happen in the world based on our experiences
• They help organise and interpret information in the brain
• Schema are useful because they help us predict what will happen in our world based on our previous experiences.
• Schema also enable us to process vast amounts of information rapidly.
• Finally, schema prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.

Question 5

Cognitive approach - Study to support the role of schemas

Answer 5

• English participants were asked to read a Native American folk tale called ‘The war of the Ghosts’ which was an unfamiliar and strange story compared to a traditional English story
• Participants had to read the story then after different lengths of time they had to recall the story as accurately as possible
• The results of the study showed that all English participants changed the story to fit their own schema.
• Changes were made for example ‘canoes’ changed to ‘cars’ and ‘bows and arrows’ changed to ‘guns’.

Question 6

Cognitive approach- Why might schema not be useful?

Answer 6

• schema can distort our interpretation of sensory information
• schema lead to perceptual errors or inaccurate EWT / memories
• schema can cause biased recall / see what we expect
• negative / faulty schema may have a negative impact on mental health

Question 7

Cognitive neuroscience

Answer 7

• Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the neurological structures, mechanisms, processes and chemistry which are responsible for our thinking processes.
• There are practical applications of cognitive neuroscience. Brain imaging techniques such as Position Emission Tomography (PET) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) have been used to locate different types of memory in different areas of the brain, for instance episodic memories are in the hippocampus, semantic memories are in the temporal lobe, and procedural memories are in the cerebellum. This has led to more effective treatments for memory disorders.

Question 8

Mahuire experiment

Answer 8

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Question 9

Cognitive approach evaluation (+)

Answer 9

1. A strength of the cognitive approach is that it is the dominant approach in psychology today and has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts. For example, cognitive psychology has made an important contribution to the field of artificial intelligence and the development of robots. Therefore cognitive psychology has led to developments that may revolutionise how we live in the future.
2. is that it uses a laboratory setting to conduct research in order to test the approach. EXAMPLE/EVIDENCE: For example, research investigating the Cognitive Approach often uses laboratory based tests that are highly controlled, EVs are accounted for and the IV can be manipulated and the DV can be accurately measured. Data is usually collected using fMRI and PET scans leading to the collection of objective data. ELABORATION: This is a strength because the controlled setting in which the Cognitive Approach is investigated provides a high degree of control in which the IV is the only variable to affect the DV leading to high internal validity allowing for a cause and effect relationship to be established.

Question 10

Cognitive approach evaluation (-)

Answer 10

1. The Cognitive Approach can be criticised as being reductionist. EXAMPLE/EXPLAIN: For example, the approach assumes that all our actions and behaviours are as a result of internal-mental processes, thoughts etc…. ELABORATION: This is a weakness because, the Cognitive Approach can be criticised as being too simplistic, failing to recognise that surely there are an array of factors that impact human behaviour (surely such complex behaviours as those displayed by humans cannot be reduced down to one explanation?)
2. The Cognitive Approach can be criticised as being deterministic. EXAMPLE/EXPLAIN: For example, the approach assumes that we are pre-programmed in a way where we follow cognitive processes/cognitive processes are responsible for our behaviour. ELABORATION: This is a weakness because, the Cognitive Approach doesn’t consider the role of genetics/biology in the explanation of human behaviour.