Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Assumptions of the Cognitive Approach:

Answer 1

• The human mind is like a computer
• Behaviour is the result of internal mental processes

Question 2

What are theoretical models?

Answer 2

They are frameworks developed by cognitive psychologists which help explain cognitive processes.
They have a series of steps/components and are used to explain mental processes, such as memory and perception.

Question 3

What is an example of a theoretical model?

Answer 3

THE INFORMATION PROCESSING MODEL.

Question 4

What does the INFORMATION PROCESSING MODEL explain?

Answer 4

This model explains how the human mind transforms sensory information. The model assumes that information from the environment (input) is subjected to mental processes (mediation processes) which underlies behaviour (output)

Question 5

What do cognitive psychologists study?

Answer 5

Internal mental processes such as memory and decision making

Question 6

How do congitive psychologists study internal mental processes? + why?

Answer 6

Using INFERENCE, as internal mental processes are private and cannot be observed directly.

Question 7

What is INFERENCE?

Answer 7

Taking cues from observable behaviour to suggest what is occurring in the internal mental processes of the unobservable mind.

Question 8

What is a SCHEMA?

Answer 8

• Is a cognitive framework which helps organise and interpret information.
• It acts as ‘packages’ of knowledge acquired through experiences. They allow us to take quick mental short-cuts interpreting the huge amounts of information.
• It fills in the gaps of information and informs our expectations to behave ‘appropriately’ in a situation.

Question 9

Example of how a schema is linked to human behaviour? (list of positive and negative words)

Answer 9

If we observe that when a person is presented with a list of positive and negative words, they remember seeing more negative than positive words, we infer that the person has a bias towards attending to negative material because they are having recurring negative thoughts (potentially signalling depression).

Question 10

Example of how a schema is linked to human behaviour? (Rejection from parents)

Answer 10

Rejection from parents and isolation from friends in childhood results in negative self schemas. This filters into adulthood - individuals see themselves as unwanted/unloved which then develops into depression in adulthood.

Question 11

What are computer models?

Answer 11

They are another way of studying internal mental processes.

Question 12

Why do psychologists develop computer models?

Answer 12

Psychologists develop computer programmes to emulate human mental processing. They experiment with these to get a better understanding of the functioning of the mind.

Question 13

What is Cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 13

It is the scientific study of the biological basis for mental processing, specifically how neurons behave during those processes.

Question 14

How is cognitive neuroscience done?

Answer 14

This is done by measuring the activity of parts of the brain during cognitive processing

Question 15

Examples of Brain imaging techniques:

Answer 15

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scans

Question 16

What have fMRI and PET scans allowed scientists to do?

Answer 16

They have allowed scientists to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processing.

Question 17

What are participants given while scanning (fMRI and PET) takes place?

Answer 17

Participants are given cognitive tests while scanning takes place.

Question 18

List the Distortions caused by the use of schemas:

Answer 18

• They lead to stereotyping others based on our past experiences
• Could lead to forgetting or ignoring information that does not fit the schemas
• Making errors when performing new tasks as we still apply our old understanding

Question 19

A strength of the cognitive approach is that it uses scientific and objective methods. This is because it is supported by studies which use HIGH CONTROL and SCIENTIFIC METHODS to investigate behaviour…

Answer 19

Cognitive psychologists use lab experiments which have high levels of control which includes the use of standardised procedures. This allows others to replicate the study to increase the RELIABILITY of the results. Moreover, this high level of control allows the researcher to ELIMINATE EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES. This allows them to establish a stronger cause and effect, which increases the validity of the findings. As well as this, the use of operationalisation leads to objective valid data which is not affected by researcher bias.

As a result of the scientific nature of supporting studies of cognitive approach, we can assume that the cognitive approach is also valid.

Question 20

A strength of the cognitive approach is there is supporting evidence.

Answer 20

For example, Beck demonstrated that abnormal behaviour such as depression is a product of faulty schemas that can lead to cognitive biases about the self, the world and the future. Ellis also demonstrated how having consistent negative and irrational beliefs can make people vulnerable to depression-like behaviour. This shows that our thoughts and mental processes have a strong influence on behaviour, and therefore supports a key assumption of the cognitive approach. This increases the validity of the approach.

Question 21

Another strength of the cognitive approach is that it has real life applications. The cognitive approach is considered the most dominant approach in psychology today and has been applied to a wide range of practical contexts…

Answer 21

For example, research into faulty cognitions and the cognitive explanation for depression has led to the development of treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Cognitive psychologists will help identify negative and faulty schemas and work to replace them with positive ones. These treatments have gone on to help many people that have been affected by depression. Furthermore, since research from David et al demonstrates that CBT is an effective treatment, it can be assumed that its underlying assumptions from Cognitive Approach are also valid.

This extends support to the cognitive approach.

Question 22

A weakness of the cognitive approach is that it may be considered an incomplete explanation of behaviour…

Answer 22

While it does acknowledge the role of experiences it oversimplifies complex behaviour such as thoughts and emotions down to simple concepts such as schemas. In doing so, the cognitive approach ignores the influence of biological make-up and impact of genes and neurotransmitters especially when there is credible research from McGuffin which shows that genes play a role in behaviour.

This limits the explanatory scope of Cognitive Approach as it is incomplete, this reduces its validity.