Cognitive Approach Flashcards
When + Whywas cognitive approach developed
1950s as a response to FAILURE OF THE BHV AP to acknowledge mental processes
ASSUMPTION - What is the cognitive approach to the behaviouist approach
cog approach in direct contrast to the
ASSUMPTION - What does the cognitive approach argue
Internal mental processes
can and should
be studied scientifically
ASSUMPTION - the cog approach argues internal and mental processes shoudl eb studied so as a result …
Cognitive approach investigates areas HB
neglected by behaviourist approach
such as memory, attention, perception, language and thinking
ASSUMPTION - Attention , memory , perception , thinking
where do they occur
so what
therefore what
occur in the mind
so are private mental processes
therefore studied indirectly via inferences
ASSUMPTION - What is meant by inference
process drawing conclusions
about what’s occuring in someones mind
based on their observed behaviour
ASSUMPTION - What are humans seen as
information processorts
ASSUMPTION - what is the cognitive approach concerned with
how thinking and knowing shape our behaviour
what was generated from inference
theoretical and computer models
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS - what do congitive psychologists use T&CM for
understnad internal mental processes
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS - what are theoretical computer models
simplified diagrams rep steps involved internal mental processes
(in picture form represented by boxes and arrows that represent the flow of flow direction and stages)
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS - what are computer models and how they created
computer simulations of mental processes
created with the help of programmers
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS - how do computer models work / mental processes work using a computer analigy
info passed through senses(input)
then combined with previously stored info(process)
to then complete task (output)
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS - what do both models do
assits with research
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS - how do both models assist with research being conducted
allow researchers to test their hypothesis then model gets changed depending on what they find
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS - what is an important theoretical approach
info processing approach
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS - What does the info processing approach show
how info flows through a sequence of cog systems that include
input
storage
retrieval
e.g multistoremodel
ROLE OF SCHEMA - What are cognitive processes affected by
SCHEMA
ROLE OF SCHEMA - Define schema
package of beliefs and expectations on a topic that come from prior experience
ROLE OF SCHEMA - how does schema progresss
develops with age
begin with simple, innate , motor schema e.g grabbing
then develop through experience with the environment
ROLE OF SCHEMA - what do schema help us do
respond to situations appropriatley
ROLE OF SCHEMA - how does schem operate
prcesses and catalogues info really quickly via cog shortcuts such as assumptions and stereotypes
ROLE OF SCHEMA - Why does schema operate in this useful way
we’re confronted with a large numebr of info ona daily basis and be overwhelmed & schema allows us to predict what’ll happen
ROLE OF SCHEMA - What is a negative of schema
can lead to faulty conclusions and unhelpful behaviour e.g disctimination and stereotyped - lead to social hostility
interpretations can be distorted & incorrect e.g EWT may report expectations of events due to schem filling in blanks rather than reporting what’s happened
ROLE OF SCHEMA - Explain the process of schema and why it does what it does
- fills in blanks and distorts what we remember just so we aren’t left w a blank memory
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE - Define it
scientific study of the influence of brain structure (neuro) on mental processes (cognition)
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE - What’s happened over the last 20 years and why
cog NS has advanced massivley
due to advances in brain imagery techniques e.g fMRii and PET scans
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE - what has cognitive neuroscience advancing massiley allowed
scientists to systematically observe & describe neurological basis of mental processes
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE - what has the focus exapnded to include
use of computational models which led to development of brain fingerprinting which in the future could be used to e.g
measure brainwaves of EW in court to see if they’re lying or not
EVALUATION CA - counter argument - Strength
uses objective scientific method
uses obj scientific method
so used highy controlled & rigorous studies which allowed rsrchers infer cog processes (producing results can further help society in mental health?)
use lab studies so sure produces reliable ,objective data - high IV : indicates strength research method used & ensures validity of the approach
EVALUATION CA - counter argument - Limitation
inference
relies inference of mental processes rather than direct observations of behaviour
so suffers being too abstract and theoretical & often includes artificial stimuli e.g memory experiment?
- so many not rep everyday experience so research on cog processes lacks EV
problem as aim scientific research - put out generalisable data about the real world so hard to extrapolate results from lab to real life +may not rep how cognitive processing is in real life
EVALUATION CA - Strength - real world application
dominant approach in psychology today
involved, development AI na dthinking machinidse that could revolutionise how we live in the future
also used in explanation & treatment of depression via identifying & challenging of negative thought patterns , which considered to be big factor in conditions such as OCD, Anxiety Disorders , Depression
As its got practical applications in real worls , it supports value of the cognitive approach
EVALUATION CA - Limitation - cog approach based on machine reductionism
although similars btwn humand mind and operations of computer the analogy criticised by many
ignores influence of human emotion&motivation on behaviour & reduces everything down to a basic computer analogy
this is prob as thoughts&emotions can affect ability to process info e.g EW affected by emotional factors such as anxiety
SUGGESTS MACHINE REDUCTIONISM WEAKENS VALIDITY OF THE COGNITIVE APPROACH
