Cognitive approach

Question 1

Key assumptions of cognitive approach

Answer 1

-Argued that internal processes can and should be studied scientifically.
- Investigate areas like memory, perception and thinking.
- These processes have to be studied indirectly by making ‘inferences’.
- mental processes are separate from the mind

Question 2

Theoretical + computer models

Answer 2

Theoretical models= abstract ideas.
Computer models= concrete ideas.
-Analogies can be made between the workings of a computer+ function of the brain: both contain series of 3 processes: use of processor e.g brain, production of a comprehensible output e.g computer code or human language.

Question 3

Schemas

Answer 3

-packets of info that contain our mental representations of items that group together to make concepts.
-Are useful= make shortcuts when interpreting large amounts or new info.
-may lead to the exclusion of info that doesn’t conform to our pre-existing ideas.
-may lead to development of stereotypes.

Question 4

The emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 4

-cognitive neuroscience- an area of psych dedicated to the underlying neutral functions of cognitive processes.
-neuroimaging techniques used in cognitive neuroscience: EEG, CT, FMRI, PET
-discoveries made: how neurons communicate, ocular dominance columns, coordination of hand + eye movements, allowed psychologists to understand what parts of the brain are responsible for.

Question 5

Evalutation

Answer 5

+scientific methods & rigour- collecting reliable data.
-overly abstract concepts- reliance on inference, ideas= too abstract, not enough supporting empirical evidence of such mechanisms being observed—> reduces potential practical applications of cognitive research as its mainly theoretical.
+ practical application- the dominant approach in psych today due to its involvement in cognitive neuroscience.
+ soft determinism- more flexible= allows humans conscious insight to behaviour.