Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What is the Cognitive Approach’s key belief?
Behaviour can be explained in terms of thoughts and attitudes by making inferences about the internal mental processes of the mind (e.g. thinking, memory etc)
What is the Cognitive Approach’s main assumptions?
1) Mental processes of the mind can be studied
2) They should/can be studied scientifically (lab experiments) by making inferences
3) The mind works like a computer
4) Models should be used to demonstrate the function of mental processes
In the Cognitive approach, Internal Mental processes should be studied…
Scientifically using lab experiments
Give 5 examples of internal processes and their definitions.
Thinking – The process by which we manipulate information in the mind in order to reason, solve problems, make decisions and judgements.
Perception – The process by which we take in and make sense of information of our environment.
Attention – The process by which we focus on particular sources of information rather than others and maintain this focus over time.
Language – The use of mental symbols to represent information in the mind, helping thinking and communication between people.
Memory – The process by which we retain and recall information
(T-PALM)
What is an inference?
The act of drawing conclusions from evidence and using reasoning to assume how something (e.g. mental processes) works.
Evaluate using inferences
- The inference may not be correct - subjective - they are assumptions based on reasoning. This can lead to unscientific data.
- Low ecological validity. The task may not represent normal mental processes because it is carefully measured in laboratory environments.
- Often relies on self-reporting - can lack reliability and validity due to untruthfulness or inability to report accurately - unscientific data.
What are schema’s?
Mental structures (packets of knowledge) that represent an aspect of the world, such as an object/event.
Babies are born with Schema’s such as grasping but as they grow they become more sophisticated.
They are unique to an individual and develop based on your experience. They tell us how to behave in certain situations. e.g. your Schema for Christmas day or what a cooker looks like.
How do Schemata influence our key mental processes? Give an example.
E.g. Memory - We are more likely to remember information that fits in with our schemas and forget information that does not. A consequence of this is that we can develop different stereotypes that are difficult to disconfirm.
Is the Cognitive Approach a supporter of Nature or Nurture? Why?
Interactionist
Nature has some influence as babies are born with schema’s like grasping and sucking. However this approach mainly supports Nurture as our schema’s grow more sophisticated as we go through life.
Describe the Computer Analogy
Input (from senses) –> Process (making sense of info/thinking about it) –> Output (behaviour is shown)
Hardware = brain Software = internal mental processes
Give some examples of how Computers are similar to Human Brains.
RAM = Short term memory
HDD = Long term memory
Data input: keyboard/mouse = sense organs (e.g. skin, eyes)
Output: Monitor/Speakers = Behavioural responses (e.g. speaking, writing, face expressions, actions)
What are the differences between the human brain and computers?
Human brain:
- Organic
- Unlimited memory
Computer:
- Metallic/plastic
- Limited Memory
What are computer models? Give an example.
This is using a computer to construct programs that mimic how internal mental processes work.
e.g. training a computational robot to recognise faces.
What are Theoretical Models? Give examples
Models that depict a series of stages and explain the process of a mental process - usually represented like a flow diagram.
E.g. Multistore Model of memory, Working Memory Model
Why are Computer and theoretical models good?
Because certain stages and aspects of mental processes can be tested individually and examined in detail through making inferences.
Inferences aren’t always correct but the models can be altered if evidence doesn’t fit the model.
What is cognitive neuroscience?
The scientific study of the influence of brain structures and neurons on mental processes.
- Emerged due to advances in technology
- Involves the use of non-invasive brain scans which:
- — Systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes.
- — Involve scanning the brains of ‘normal’ individuals and comparing to people who have brain dysfunction/damage
- — get people to perform a task during the scan and see which areas of the brain are active during the task - enabling inferences to be made about how the mental processes work.
What non-invasive brain scans are used in cognitive neuroscience?
- fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- EEG (Electroencephalogram)
- PET (Position Emission Tomography)
Give some practical examples of cognitive neuroscience
- Locate different types of memory in different areas of the brain leading to treatment for memory problems.
- Use of computer simulations/computational modelling to test theories/hypotheses about mental processes such as attention, memory, problem solving etc.
- Use of scanning/imaging techniques to study mental processing patients with depression or OCD or children with autism/dyslexia.
Give 2 examples of parts of the brain and what they are connected to
Broca’s area: language processing and speech production
Wernicke’s area: language development and speech comprehension
Evaluate the Cognitive Approach
+ Uses scientific methods - produces reliable, objective data.
+ Practical Applications (e.g. AI - exciting advances which may revolutionise how we live in the future / Cognitive behavioural therapy - effective treatments to treat a whole range of disorders)
+ Interactionist position - considers both nature and nurture
- Lacks ecological validity
- Machine reductionism - too simplistic comparing the brain to a computer, ignores factors such as emotions and it’s effect on memory - however still a lot of similarities
