Cognitive Approach

Question 1

key assumptions

Answer 1

• explains the importance of the role of schema
• it is appropriate to make inferences about cognitive processes
• psych should be the study of internal mental processes e.g. memory, perception etc..

Question 2

inferences

Answer 2

• going beyond the immediate evidence to make assumptions about mental processes that can’t be directly observed

Question 3

theoretical models

Answer 3

• e.g. MSM
• simplified representations based on current research evidence
• often pictorial in nature + use boxes an arrows to indicate cause + effect
• often incomplete

Question 4

computer models

Answer 4

• used to explain mental processes
• using computers as an analogy
• info is inputted through senses
• coded into memory
• often used to explain memory
• e.g. LTM is like a hard disk + RAM is like working memory

Question 5

role of schema

Answer 5

• schema = mental representations of experience, knowledge + understanding
• help organise + interpret info in the brain
• enable us to process vast amounts of info rapidly
• prevent us form becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
• schema can also distort our interpretation of sensory info
• can lead to perceptual errors + inaccurate memories
• negative schema may also have a negative impact on mental health

Question 6

cognitive neuroscience

Answer 6

• cognitive + biological processes can be integrated = cognitive neuroscience
• scientific study of neurological structures, mechanisms, processes etc.. responsible for thinking processes

Question 7

practical applications of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 7

• brain imaging techniques:
• PET + fMRI scanes
• used to locate diff types of memory in diff areas
• e..g episodic = hippocampus, semantic = temporal lobe, procedural = cerebellum
• led to more effective treatments for memory disorders

Question 8

ads of cog approach

Answer 8

• lab experiments
• depression
• CBT

Question 9

disads of cog approach

Answer 9

• computer models
• mechanical

Question 10

lab experiments - ads of cog approach

Answer 10

• approach emphasises scientific methods e.g. lab experiments when collecting data
• means that high levels of control exercised
• cause + effect relationships established
• however, lab experiments can be criticised for lacking ecological validity

Question 11

depression - ads of cog approach

Answer 11

• cog psych has also been used to explain the development of negative schema
• aids our understanding of mental illnesses liek depression

Question 12

CBT - ads of cog approach

Answer 12

• has also had a vast influence on the development of therapies
• e.g. CBT aims to change negative thoughts into more positive thoughts to help treat depression

Question 13

computer models - disads of cog approach

Answer 13

• cog approach uses computer models
• phrases like storage + retrieval taken directly from computing
• there is an important difference between the sort of info processing that takes place in a computer + human mind
• computers don’t make mistakes, ignore available info or forget info that’s been stored
  = humans do all of these things

Question 14

mechanical - disads of cog approach

Answer 14

• approach can be seen as mechanical in regarding human thinking
• as processing like the computer leaving little room for the irrationality often seen in emotional behaviours

Question 15

inferences - disads

Answer 15

• The idea of inferences made about internal mental processes is not objective enough
• the cognitive approach can be criticised it does not give a full picture about what is really going on inside the working mind/brain
• Psychologists and scientists still need to make inferences about cognitive processing
• which might be based on limited information available from research/experiments
  = It is questionable whether psychologists can really understand and explain thinking by using inference alone.