Cognitive approach

Question 1

What is the cognitive approach?

Answer 1

Focuses on how our mental processes affect our behaviour

Question 2

What are internal mental processes?

Answer 2

‘Private’ operations of the mind, such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response

Question 3

What is schema?

Answer 3

A mental framework of beliefs and expectations, that influence cognitive processing (developed through experience)

Question 4

What is an inference in psychology?

Answer 4

The process in which conclusions are drawn about the way our mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour

Question 5

What is cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 5

The scientific study of the influence of the brain structures and neurons on mental processes

Question 6

What are some examples of cognitive processes?

Answer 6

Perception, attention, memory, language, thinking

Question 7

What is the information processing model?

Answer 7

Input > Storage > Output

Question 8

What is the multi-store model of memory?

Answer 8

Sensory information > sensory register > short term memory > long term memory

Question 9

What does analogy mean?

Answer 9

The comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification

Question 10

What are the four main brain scanning techniques?

Answer 10

CT and MRI (structure of brain)
fMRI and PET (function of brain)

Question 11

What are the strengths of the cognitive approach?

Answer 11

• Methods are scientifically rigorous
• Practical application
• Allows for influence of free will
• Lab experiments (empirical evidence)

Question 12

What are the limitations of the cognitive approach?

Answer 12

• Machine reductionism (excludes influence of emotional factors)
• Lacks ecological validity
• No direct observation of behaviour (abstract)

Question 13

What is schema like in babies and adults?

Answer 13

Babies- simple motor schema (e.g. grasping)
Adults- more detailed schema, developed mental representations

Question 14

In what ways is the human brain similar to a computer?

Answer 14

• Long term memory= hard drive
• Short term memory= soft memory of a computer
• Multitasking= serial processing by memory
• Behaviour responses= output

Question 15

Strength-
I= Use of objective, scientific methods

Answer 15

D= Cognitive methods employ highly controlled and rigorous methods of study- allow for inferences to be made. Lab studies produce reliable, objective data. Emergence of cognitive neuroscience enbaled two field of biology and cognitive psychology to come together and enhance scientific basis
E= Means the study of the mind has scientific credibility

Question 16

Limitation-
I= Too abstract and theoretical

Answer 16

D= Reliant on inference of mental processes, not direct observation of behaviour. Studies carried out using artificial stimuli that may not represent everyday life
E= Research lacks external validity

Question 17

Strength-
I= Real-world application

Answer 17

D= Contribution in the field of Ai and development of ‘thinking machines’ (robots). Advances may revolutionise how we live in the future. Cognitive principles applied to treatment of depression and improve reliability of EWT
E= Supports value of approach

Question 18

Limitation-
I= Based on machine reductionism

Answer 18

D= Similarities between human mind and operations of ‘thinking machines’ (computers). Computer analogy criticised- ignores influence of human emotion and motivation and how this affects ability to process information. E.g: memory influenced by emotional factors (anxiety)
E= Suggests machine reductionism weakens validity of approach

Question 19

Soft determinism

Evaluation extra

Answer 19

• Cognitive approach focuses on soft determinism (behaviour determined by internal and external factors but we can exert free will at times)
• Hard determinism says behaviour is determined by other factors- conditioing and genes