Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Cognitive

Answer 1

Relates to mental processes such as perception, memory and reasoning.

Question 2

What are the main assumptions of the cognitive approach?

Answer 2

• All behaviour stems from our internal mental processes.
• Internal mental processes must be studied indirectly by making inferences about people’s minds based on their behaviour.
• Our brains function in a similar way to a computer.

Question 3

The role of theoretical models

Answer 3

• eg. multi-store model of memory, working memory model- models are simplified representations based on current research evidence.
• Pictorial (boxes and arrows to indicate cause and effect or stages of a mental process)
• Often incomplete and informal and are frequently changed and refined.
• e.g. working memory model first proposed by Baddeley and Hitch in 1974. Initial model consisted of three sections (fourth added by Baddeley in 2000)

Question 4

Mind vs Machine: Similarities

Answer 4

• Data taken from environment.
• Memory
• Both can work with material in some way.

Question 5

Mind vs Machine: Differences

Answer 5

• PCs always give attention to their inputs, humans don’t.
• PCs receive information in one way, humans have many senses.
• PCs are not affected by emotion
• Humans add meaning to information, PCs can’t.

Question 6

Computer model

Answer 6

Refers to the process of using computer analogies as a representation of human cognition.

Question 7

The role of computer models

Answer 7

• Development of computers led to a focus on the way in which sensory information is ‘coded’ as it passes through the system.
• Information is inputted through the senses, encoded into memory and then combined with previously stored information to complete a task.
• Computer model of memory- hard-disk storage like long term memory, and RAM like the working memory (cleared and reset when task being carried out is finished).

Question 8

Theoretical methods- Information Processing

Answer 8

Stimulus –> Thinking –> Response

Question 9

Theoretical models: Computer model

Answer 9

Input –> Processing –> Output
Input (from the environment via the senses)
–> Processing (unobservable, only inferred from the output; info. is encoded and processed e.g. using schema)
–> Output (observable behaviour)

Question 10

Schema

Answer 10

A cognitive framework of beliefs and expectations that helps to organise and interpret information in the brain. Schemas help an individual to make sense of new information and influence cognitive processing.
They come from our prior beliefs and experience. Our expectations then affect our behaviour.