Cognitive approach Flashcards
What does the cognitive approach focus on?
Internal mental processes, that should be studied scientifically. To do this they use both theoretical and computer models.
Models are used to provide testable theories about mental processes.
As a result, the cognitive approach has investigated those areas of human behaviour that were neglected by behaviourists, such as memory, perception and thinking.
What are theoretical models?
They are diagrams representing the steps involved in the mental processes.
These models can be seen in memory and attention.
One important theoretical model is the information processing model approach, which explains that information flows through the cognitive system in stages.
What are computer models?
They are simulations of mental processes.
The believed structure of the brain and mind systems is similar to the structure of human.
e.e. input/ output.
What is a schema?
A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing.
They are developed through experience.
They allow us to predict what may happen and are based on previous experience.
What did Barlett claim about schemas?
That schemas do not work like a photograph but instead like a notepad, which means the event is reconstructed, our schema affects our thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
This is due to the schema filling the gaps and making assumptions.
Explain Bartlett’s study of war of the ghosts research.
Bartlett told his participants (all male uni students) the ‘war of ghosts’ which is a native American folk tale.
The detail of the story was unfamiliar to a western, 1930s perspective.
The participants then re-told the story to fit their cultural schema by changing details or leaving out unfamiliar elements.
Bartlett concluded that memory does not record events like a camera, rather it is affected by schema, particularly cultural schema which overlays the original event or message.
Evaluation: Bartletts research.
The study used a standard procedure- can be replicated.
The study lack temporal validity- as modern participants are much more culturally aware than uni students in the 1930s.
The study has good application to how schemas work and could be used to inform revision strategies, learning, memorisation techniques.
The findings of the study are still cited in discussions of the reliability of memory, particularly with regard to eyewitness testimony.
What is cognitive neuroscience?
It investigates how cognition is produced by the interaction of neural mechanisms, chemistry and brain structure.
What are cognitive neuroscience origins?
In the 1980s Broca had identified how damage to an area of the frontal lobe could impair speech production.
What are some examples of research into cognitive neuroscience?
Tulving- Showed that the different types of long-term memory may be located on opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex.
Braver- Stated the central executive was also located near the prefrontal cortex. The CN also used a scanning technique when trying to understand mental disorders.
Raine- highlighted the lack of prefrontal activity in impulse murders via PET scans.
Evaluation of cognitive neuroscience.
Cognitive neuroscience has real-wold applications in medicine and health education.
It uses objective, scientific methods- MRI scans- increases reliability.
Cognitive neuroscience could be accused of machine reductionism- humans are complex and unpredictable and cannot be linked to an inanimate object.
Evaluation: One strength of the cognitive approach.
It uses objective scientific methods.
Cognitive psychologists employ highly controlled and rigorous methods of study so researchers are able to infer cognitive processes at work.
This involves lab studies and the emergence of cognitive neuroscience has allowed two fields of biology and cognitive psychology to come together to enhance the scientific basis of study.
This means that the study of the mind has a credible scientific basis.
Evaluation: One limitation of the cognitive approach.
The approach is based on machine reductionism.
The computer analogy has been criticised. Such machine reductionism ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system, and how this may affect our ability to process information.
This suggests that machine reduction may weaken the validity of the cognitive approach.
