Cognitive approach

Question 1

Assumption- study of mental processes

Answer 1

looks at mediational processes between stimuli and behavioural responses so to understand behaviour we have to understand internal processes of our mind

Question 2

Assumption- informational processing

Answer 2

The mind works in a similar way to a computer

Question 3

Assumption- use of computer and theoretical models

Answer 3

Allows complex phenomena to be explained and studied

Question 4

Assumption- scientific methodology

Answer 4

Scientific methodology used even though mediational processes are unobservable

Question 5

Assumption- abnormality

Answer 5

Abnormality is faulty thinking, being irrational and disordered

Question 6

What is the focus?

Answer 6

Internal mental processes like memory, perception and thinking which behaviourists neglected

Question 7

How are inferences used in this approach?

Answer 7

Cannot directly observe mental processes (like memory, perception) so these processes are studied indirectly through making inferences on observable behaviour

Question 8

What is schema?

Answer 8

A package of beliefs and expectations on a topic that comes from prior experience

Question 9

Why can schema be useful?

Answer 9

Help us take shortcuts in thinking
Prevent us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
Allows us to make predictions/inferences in the world based on experiences

Question 10

Why can schema be not useful?

Answer 10

Can lead to faulty conclusions and unhelpful behaviour
Can cause biased recall
Can distort our interpretation of sensory info

Question 11

Computer model (similarities in how computers and human minds process info)

Answer 11

Brain processes info like a computer
CPU-brain
stores memory to hold diff chunks of info
codes info to turn into a useable format

Question 12

Information processing model

Answer 12

Input–>Processing–>Output

Input- from environment via senses
Processing- info encoded and processed (like using schema)
Output- observable behaviour

Question 13

Information processing model example

Answer 13

Input- hearing dog bark at night and seeing a firework
Processing- recall that dogs are scared of fireworks and infer the dog saw the firework
Output- bring dog into house so it won’t get more scared

Question 14

Theoretical model (used to describe/explain how unseen mental processes work)

Answer 14

Shows what thinking is going on
Process shown using steps/images in a model (shows cause and effect)
E.g. info processing approach suggests info flows through sequence of stages including input, storage and retrieval

Question 15

Cognitive neuroscience

Answer 15

Neuroscientists able to study the living brain, giving detailed info about brain structure and the different kinds of mental/cognitive processes and how they work

Question 16

Methods of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 16

Use of PET scans and fMRI scans help psychologists understand how the brain functions on different activities and on different emotions by showing what parts of the brain become active in specific circumstances

Question 17

Use of models in cognitive neuroscience

Answer 17

Computer models that are designed to read the brain have come about- have lead to development of mind mapping techniques known as brain fingerprinting

Question 18

Application of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 18

Analyzing the brain wave patterns of eyewitnesses to crimes in court to determine if they’re lying or not

Question 19

Strength- use of scientific methods

Answer 19

Internal mental processes are unobservable therefore difficult to measure, but by using well controlled experiments and non-invasive brain scanning techniques to objectively measure behaviour means inferences can be made on how our thinking shapes behaviour
Important as cognitive explanations not based on common sense but represent valid explanation of human mind

Question 20

Weakness- counterpoint to use of scientific methods- means approach can lack ecological validity

Answer 20

Many of the studies use tasks that have little in common with ppts everyday experiences
Like memory tests use artificial test materials that are meaningless in everyday life
Weakness as results then may not be the same outside controlled environment

Question 21

Weakness-based on machine reductionism

Answer 21

Humans are not like computers- approach uses computer models to explain human processing of info with terms like storage and encoding, but these taken directly from field of computing
There is high difference between us e.g. computers don’t forget info and make mistakes
Problem because means computer models aren’t accurate representation of human mind due to lack of similarities therefore explanations for behaviour may not be valid

Question 22

Strength- has real world application

Answer 22

Explains how faulty thinking can cause mental illness, which led to development of successful treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
In CBT patient and therapist work together to identify irrational thoughts which are challenged which are combated by logic- as thinking becomes more rational, patient’s behaviour changes
Strength as providing successful treatment means approach has saved the lives of many suffering with mental illnesses
As well has positive effect on economy- patients take less time off work due to being more healthy and less strain on NHS in the long run

Question 23

Weakness- ignores human emotion/motivation

Answer 23

Although approach explains how diff cognitive processes work, fails to say why they do
As well, over-dependant on computer models may explain why human emotion and motivation largely ignored
Problem as human mind clearly not like a computer and human emotion/motivation clearly important aspects of human behaviour