Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Which approach came immediately before it?

Answer 1

Behaviourism - learning theories. Specifically SLT

Question 2

How is it different to SLT

Answer 2

Tries to explain behaviour by looking at the cognitive processes that exist between stimulus and response, rather than just assuming that they are influenced wholly by learning

Question 3

What happens in the “black box” between stimulus and response? What are the 5 cognitive processes?

Answer 3

People are like mobile telephones ;) 
Perception 
Attention 
Language
Memory
Thinking

Question 4

Is the CA scientific? Why?

Answer 4

Yes. It uses theoretical frameworks and experimental methods to test behaviour scientifically.

Question 5

What are the 3 main methods of the CA?

Answer 5

Lab experiments
Field experiments
Natural experiments

Question 6

What is the difference between a lab and field experiment?

Answer 6

The setting. Both manipulate effect of IV on DV. Field experiments have less control over EVs which make them less reliable but more valid

Question 7

What is reliability?

Answer 7

Consistency

Question 8

What is validity

Answer 8

Truthfulness

Question 9

Arghhh! I’ve done a Covid test and I’ve tested positive! My Mum told me to do another so I did. That was positive too. I didn’t believe it so I did 5 more. All positive! Have I got Covid? Why?

Answer 9

Yes, I have Covid. If all tests give the same results under the same conditions they can be said to be reliable.

Question 10

What are natural experiments?

Answer 10

Experiments that look at IV/DV relationships in naturally occurring situations

Question 11

What two types of models does the CA use?

Answer 11

Theoretical models (eg MSM/WMM memory models / they are just theories but are models, as per their titles)
Computer models - the computer analogy

Question 12

What is a weakness of the computer analogy?

Answer 12

It ignores the role of emotion and we know that this matters, eg with the fundamental attribution error (we blame the teacher if we fail as we have self-serving bias) and with eye-witness testimony (high anxiety reduces memory accuracy)

Question 13

Outline 4 features of the computer analogy

Answer 13

The brain is out hardware and our learning (from environment) Is the software that is programmed in
Parts of the brain form networks
We code information that is programmed into us (eg STM uses acoustic coding)
We close down if we have too many tabs open using the same system (eg WMM and attention)

Question 14

What are the main features of the CA?

Answer 14

There is a limited capacity to our mental systems
A control mechanism ((brain) oversees all mental processes
There is 2 way flow of info - we have an input - we process the info - we give an output

Question 15

What are schemas (schemata)?

Answer 15

A pocket of all the info we hold about a concept, action or object

Question 16

Name 3 different types of schema

Answer 16

Role schemes
Event schema
Self schema

Question 17

What is a role schema?

Answer 17

Ideas we have about expected ways of behaviour, eg teachers should not swear and should be on time!

Question 18

What is an event schema?

Answer 18

Ideas we have about an event and what usually happens in a situation. If I walked up to you in your chair and asked you to open wide, you would think I was odd. It’s expected of a dentist though!

Question 19

What is a self schema

Answer 19

Ideas you have about yourself, based on your looks, physicality and personality. They reflect how you act but are not always accurate

Question 20

How can self-schemas impact on well-being?

Answer 20

If you have low self esteem your self-schema might lead to processing errors. You might blame yourself for things that go wrong, even when they are not your fault. This is the opposite of self-serving bias and involves giving internal reasons for external events (when they are bad)

Question 21

What is the purpose of schemas?

Answer 21

To help us organise and interpret the world

Question 22

What is assimilation?

Answer 22

The process by which information which is consistent with that already held in our schemas is added to them. This causes them to strengthen. For example, a racist person would add negative events surrounding BAME people to their schema and so become more racist

Question 23

What is adaption and accommodation?

Answer 23

The process by which schemas need to be adjusted to take in competing information, eg if a child thought all apples were green and was then introduced to a red apple, they should need to adapt their schema to accommodate the new information. Not everyone is motivated to do this in all situations!

Question 24

Pete voted for the BNP. He didn’t want “foreigners” coming to this country and “pretending to be asylum seekers” so that they could “have an easy ride.” However, Pete has now applied to house a Ukrainian refugee. Explain what had happened to Pete. Refer to schemas.

Answer 24

Pete has been watching the news and seen information which contradicts his schema about foreigners. He has accommodated this new information and has adapted his schema. As schemas help us to understand the works, this has led to a change in the way that he thinks about “foreigners.” Pete may have created a new schema called “Ukrainians”

Question 25

How do schemas influence our behaviour?

Answer 25

Think - feel - behave

Schemas determine what we think, which influences how we feel, which impacts on how we behave

Question 26

What study do you know about schemas?

Answer 26

Bartlett’s War of the Ghosts
English P read a Native American folk tale and added bits to it on recall so that it made sense. The bits they added were from their schemas on English culture and how stories work

Question 27

Name a problem with Bartlett’s study

Answer 27

It was conducted in a lab so low ecology validity and possible demand characteristics

Question 28

List 2 types of demand characteristics

Answer 28

Screw you

Good participant

Question 29

What does cognitive neuroscience do?

Answer 29

Maps human behaviour to brain function

Question 30

List 3 ways cognitive neuroscientists have studied behaviour

Answer 30

Lesion studies - effects of brain damage, eg HM
Electrophysiology - using electric and magnetic fields to study brain activity (EEG)
Neuroimaging - pinpointing active areas if brain during activity (PET)

Question 31

2 strengths of the CA are

Answer 31

Considers mental processes which are often overlooked

Nature and nurture - so less reductionist than some others

Question 32

2 weaknesses of CA are

Answer 32

Lots of research is carried out in artificial situations

Fails to take account of individual differences - assumes we mostly process in the same way