Cognitive approach Flashcards
Approaches to psychology
What is the cognitive approach?
Focuses on how our mental processes affect our behaviour
What are internal mental processes?
‘Private’ operations of the mind, such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response
What is schema?
A mental framework of beliefs and expectations, that influence cognitive processing (developed through experience)
What is an inference in psychology?
The process in which conclusions are drawn about the way our mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour
What is cognitive neuroscience?
The scientific study of the influence of the brain structures and neurons on mental processes
What are some examples of cognitive processes?
Perception, attention, memory, language, thinking
What is the information processing model?
Input > Storage > Output
What is the multi-store model of memory?
Sensory information > sensory register > short term memory > long term memory
What does analogy mean?
The comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification
What are the four main brain scanning techniques?
CT and MRI (structure of brain)
fMRI and PET (function of brain)
What are the strengths of the cognitive approach?
- Methods are scientifically rigorous
- Practical application
- Allows for influence of free will
- Lab experiments (empirical evidence)
What are the limitations of the cognitive approach?
- Machine reductionism (excludes influence of emotional factors)
- Lacks ecological validity
- No direct observation of behaviour (abstract)
What is schema like in babies and adults?
Babies- simple motor schema (e.g. grasping)
Adults- more detailed schema, developed mental representations
In what ways is the human brain similar to a computer?
- Long term memory= hard drive
- Short term memory= soft memory of a computer
- Multitasking= serial processing by memory
- Behaviour responses= output
Strength-
I= Use of objective, scientific methods
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
Limitation-
I= Too abstract and theoretical
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
Strength-
I= Real-world application
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
Limitation-
I= Based on machine reductionism
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
Soft determinism
Evaluation extra
- Hard determinism criticised for being too extreme, as it ignores the influence of free will
- So, cognitive approach= soft determinism is a logical compromise, as it suggests behaviour is partly pre- determined, but acknowledges the influence of free will
