cognitive approach

Question 1

what does the cognitive approach argue

Answer 1

internal mental process can, and should, be studied scientifically

Question 2

how are internal cognitive processes studied

Answer 2

as they’re ‘private’ and cannot be observed, scientists study them indirectly by making inferences on the basis of their behaviour

Question 3

schema

Answer 3

• person’s beliefs or expectations
• ‘packages’ of ideas & information developed through experience
• mental framework

Question 4

what are babies born with

Answer 4

simple motor schema for innate behaviour eg. sucking, grasping

Question 5

how can schemas lead to perceptual errors

Answer 5

by distorting our interpretations of sensory information

Question 6

what do cognitive psychologists use to help them understand internal mental processes

Answer 6

thoeretical & computer models

Question 7

information processing approach

Answer 7

• info flows through cognitive system in stages
• include: input, storage & retrieval (as in multi store model)
• based on the way a computer functions

Question 8

cognitive neuroscience

Answer 8

scientific study of influence of brain structures on mental processes

Question 9

how have scientists been able to systematically observe & describe neurological basis of processes

Answer 9

advances in brain imaging technique’s eg. fMRI, PET

Question 10

research to support how scientists have been able to systematically observe & describe neurological basis of processes

Answer 10

• buckner & peterson = showed how different types of LTM may be located on different sides of prefrontal cortex
• braver et al. = central executive thought to reside in similar area

Question 11

how have scanning techniques proven useful in establishing neurological basis of some mental disorders

Answer 11

eg. link between parahippocampul gyrus & OCD

Question 12

mind-mapping techniques

Answer 12

‘brain fingerprinting’

Question 13

+) cognitive approach uses objective & scientific methods

Answer 13

E: cognitive psychologists employ a highly controlled & rigorous methods of study so they can infer cognitive processes at work. involved use of lab studies producing reliable, objective data. also, emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled biology & cognitive psychology to combine & enhance scientific basis of study

T: study of mind has credible scientific basis

Question 14

-) counterpoint to cognitive psychology using scientific & objective methods

Answer 14

E: relies on inference of mental processes (not direct observation) so can occasionally suffer from being too abstract & theoretical in nature. also, research studies of mental processes are often carrier out using artificial stimuli which dont represent everyday experiences

T: research on cognitive processes may lack external validity

Question 15

+) real world application

Answer 15

E: has been applied to wide range of practical & theoretical contexts. for example, cognitive psychology has contributed to field of artificial intelligence & development of ‘thinking machines’. these exciting advances may revolutionise how we live in the future. cognitive principles have also been applied to treatment of depression & improved reliability of EWT

T: supports value of cognitive approach

Question 16

-) based on machine reductionism

Answer 16

E: some similarities between human mind & operations of ‘thinking machine’ eg. computer (eg. input, output, storage systems). computer anology criticised as machine reductionism ignores the influence of human emotions & motivation on cognitive system, and how this may affect ability to process info. for example, research has found human memory may be affected by emotional factors, eg. anxiety on EWT

T: machine reductionism may decrease value of cognitive approach