Cognitive approach Flashcards
What is the cognitive approach ?
Cognitive approach focuses on how our mental processes ( thoughts,perceptions, attention) affect behaviour.
Assumptions :
-Internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically.
-Investigates those areas of human behaviour that were neglected such as memory , thinking ; inferences are made
-Processes are private and cannot be observed : indirect
How are internal processes studied
Using theoretical models
Computer models
Theoretical model
Information processing approach , suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages including ; input,storage and retrieval.
Computer models
The mind is compared to a computer by suggesting similarites in the way information is processed.
Uses the concept of central processing unit, coding (format) and stores to hold information.
What is a Schema ?
’ Packages’ of ideas / beliefs and information taht has been developed through experience.
-Act as a mental framework for the interpretationn of incoming information received by the cognitive system.
Schema for babies
Babies are born with simple motor schema for innate behaviours such as sucking and grasping.
Eg. grasping schema consists of moving a hand towards an object and shaping the hand around the object in a coordinated visual input.
What happens to our schema as we get older ?
Our schema becomes more detailed and sophisticated.
Develop mental representations for everything
How are schemas useful ?
Enable us to process lots of information quickly and this is useful as a mental shortcut to prevent us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.
Schema can distort our interpretions of sensory information , leading to perceptual errors
Emergence of cognitive neuroscience
The scientific study of biological structures and underpin cognitive processes
What did Broca identify ?
1860
Damage to an aarea of the frontal lobe could permanently impair speech production
What has happened in the last 20 years ?
Advances in brain imaging techniques eg. FMRI , PET scans , that scientists have been able to systematically observe and describe neurological basis of mental processes
Eg of research in cognitive neuroscience
Episodic and semantic memory.
Tulving et al . were able to show how these different types of LTM may be located on opposite sides of the pre - frontal cortex.
Central executive is thought to be in a similar area
How have scanning techniques been useful ?
Useful in establishing the neurologival basis of some mental disorders.
Eg . OCCD and parahippocampal gyrus. Plays a role in unpleasant emotions
Focus of cognitive neuroscience
Use of computer - generated models that are designed to read the brain. This has led to the development of mind mapping techniques ie - ‘brain fingerprinting’
