Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What is the cognitive approach
The mental processes that affect our behavior eg. Our thoughts perception and attention
What are the internal mental processes
Private operations of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response
What is the main assumption of the cognitive approach
That our internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically. As these cannot be tested experimentally, models are created which allows psychologists to make inference about behavior
What does a schema help us do
Organiser and intemperate information in the brain, and allows us to take on different roles based on our expectations
Schemas are good because
They make short cuts when interpreting info (takes in many stimulus in the environment without getting overwhelmed)
Prevents us from coming into contact with potentially dangerous stimulus
Schemas are bad because
Many assumptions are based on stereotypes which conform to pre existing beliefs and ideas
They can also reinforce negative assumptions about stimuli which can lead to poor mental health
What is inference
The process where psychologists draw conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behavior
What are cognitive model
Models allowing us to make the cognitive approach more scientific as it’s able to make a process to enquiry and testing
What is the theoretical model
The process of information displayed at different states using pictorials and arrows
Eg.MSM
Information processing approach=input-process-output
What is a computer model
The process of using computer analogies as a representation for human cognition
Eg. LTM - hard drive
Why do we have cognitive neuroscience
It’s emerged in the last 20 years as a way to incorporate the influence of the brain structure on mental processes
What’s used to test cognitive neuroscience
fMRI and PET scans which map the cognitive process in the brain and computer generated models that read the brain
Eg. Cognitive neuroscience
Tulving, LTM episodic and semantic memory in different sides of the brain
Scientific method pos
-Cog neuroscience is both bio and cog psych enhancing the scientific basis
-Bio uses highly controlled methods of study (MRI) which decreases extraneous variables
-Increases IV due to accurate measuring of internal processes
Counterpoint, abstract and theoretical neg
-Cognitive psychology relies on the inference of behavior concluding internal mental processes
-Research has to use artificial stimuli eg words lists, lack of mundane realism
-lacks EV as it doesn’t represent everyday life
