cognitive approach Flashcards
what is the aim of the cognitive approach?
argues that mental processes should be studied like perception and memory
what is inference?
mental processes are not observable so are studied indirectly by making assumptions
what is a schema?
- packages of info developed through experience
- mental framework for interpretation of incoming info
- babies are born with motor schema for innate behaviour s
- schema becomes more detailed with age
What is a theoretical models?
Information-processing approach suggests that information flows through a sequence of stages including input storage and retrieval e.g. multi store model
What are computer models?
programs that can be from a computer to imitate the human mind
What is cognitive neuroscience?
The scientific study of biological structures e.g. brain structures on mental processes (cognition)
How has brain scanning technology provide evidence for mental processes?
shows neurological basis of mental processes e.g. episodic and semantic memories are linked to different size of the pre-frontal cortex; provides link to parts of the brain to disorder eg OCD
strength: scientific and objective methods
use of controlled and rigourous methods of study (lab study)
combination of biological and cognitive psychology (cognitive neuroscience) to enhance scientific basis of study
Study of the mind is a credible scientific basis
Limitation: abstract and artificial
inference causes research to be abstract and theoretical
research is often used artificial stimuli e.g. wordlists
research on cognitive processes may lack external identity and do not represent every day life
Strength: application to every day life
artificial intelligence (AI) has allowed treatment of depression and improvement of eyewitness testimony
Limitation: machine reductionism
Computer models ignores emotion and motivation
Machine reductionism we can have the validity of the cognitive approach
Strength: soft determinism
recognises free well as well as determinism
contrasts behaviourist approach – slave to the environment no free will
more flexible positive approach
