Cognitive Approach

Question 1

First assumption of the cognitive approach

Answer 1

Humans actively process information using hardware (the brain) and software (mental representations)

Question 2

What is input and what is output?

Answer 2

Input is sensory information retrieved from environment (bottom-up). Output is the processing of information in our mind to guide a behaviour in response (top-down)

Question 3

How do mental representations guide behaviour?

Answer 3

Information is processed through a filter of past experiences and understandings (schema theory)

Question 4

Why are humans cognitive misers?

Answer 4

Mental heuristics are used due to lack of knowledge, lack of motivation, and lack of time (I don’t know, I don’t care, I don’t have time)

Question 5

Scheme definition

Answer 5

Mental representations derived from prior experience and knowledge.

Question 6

Scheme Script definition

Answer 6

Pattern of behaviour learned through interaction with environment (eg. Script of going to the movies)

Question 7

Evaluating Theories TEACUP

Answer 7

Testable, Empirical Evidence, Application, Construct Validity, Unbiased, Predictive Validity

Question 8

Memory definition

Answer 8

Process by which information is encoded, stored and retrieved

Question 9

Types of memory

Answer 9

Declarative (Episodic & Semantic) and Procedural Memory

Question 10

Multi-store Model of Memory

Answer 10

Environmental Stimuli > Sensory Memory > STM > LTM

Question 11

Limitations of Multi-Store Memory Model

Answer 11

Reductionist and Over-simplified: assumes each store functions independently, does not explain memory distortion, does not explain flashbulb memory