cognitive approach Flashcards
what are the key assumptions of the cognitive approach?
- includes internal processes (SOR model)
- internal processes can be studied in laboratories by inferring the actions of the mind from behaviour seen.
- the human mind works like a computer, with input from the senses and output in the form of behaviour.
describe the role of theoretical models.
The cognitive approach uses theoretical models to represent internal mental processes, such as the multi-store model as a representation of how memory works. This enables us to consider how the brain processes information, breaking down the processes into component parts so that researchers can more easily test the individual elements of the theory.
describe the cognitive approaches use of computer models.
the hard drive is the LTM, the input is the stimulus, so the sensory register, and the RAM (holds temporary information whilst it’s being worked on) is the STM.
input is sensory information, processing is the sequence of mental operations, and the output is the perceptions, behaviours and memories that come from it.
computers take in info, process it and then produce an output. e.g. we touch something hot, process that it’s hot and then move our hand away.
what’s a schema?
a schema is a package of information that are developed through experiences we have encountered that we use to interpret the world.
describe how they can affect our behaviour towards others?
When you have a schema of something based off past experiences, you apply that to other people around you and you have preconceptions of them before you know them. if you act diff towards them, they might fulfil these stereotypes we’ve given them.
why are schemas useful?
They help us predict and make inferences on what’s going to happen in a new situation
also allow us to take a shortcut when interpreting the huge amount of info we deal with daily.
what’s cognitive neuroscience?
The scientific study of brain structures to explain mental processes such as memory or perception.
what can we use to scan brains to see this? explain how it works
PET scan or fMRI scan.
PET scan - uses a radioactive tracer that attaches to the glucose in your bloodstream. The scanned rotates around the body and makes a picture of where the radioactive substance is being used in the brain.
explain one study in memory that had used brain scanning.
Tulving:
- 6 ppts including himself and his wife, were injected with particles of radioactive gold to track the blood flow in a PET scan.
- when recalling episodic memories, blood flow increased in the right prefrontal correct, and semantic in the left prefrontal cortex, showing they’re separate.
- however, the hippocampus was used in both, showing they’re linked.
how do brain scans reduce the problems with infer ending in cognitive psychology?
they identify the specific brain regions,
so less assumptions are made.
It’s scientific, so more reliable.
also allows for the comparison between people with brain damage.
evaluate the cognitive approach
👎machine reductionism
there are similarities between the human mind and a computer (input, processing, output, storage systems) however it ignores the influence of human emotions and motivation and how this might effect our ability to process information.
research has found that human memory is effected by emotional factors, e.g. influence of anxiety on eyewitness.
over all this means that the cognitive approach over simplified human cognitive processing and ignores important aspects that influence performance.
👍has many applications
explains dysfunctional behaviour in the terms of thinking processes that are faulty, which has lead to the development of treatments for illnesses like depression, with cognitive-based therapies. these treatments have been successful suggesting showing how important the cognitive approach is in explaining mental disorders and processes. had also made an important contribution in artificial intelligence and the development of robots which may revolutionise how we live in the future.
👎internal cognitive processes cannot be directly observed, only inferred from behaviour. e.g. Bunge et al found that there was significantly more activity in the brain when 2 tasks were being performed than when only one task was done. whilst the existence of the central executive requiring more brain activity may be inferred from this, it hasn’t actually been directly measured- so conclusions may not be valid.
👍 cognitive approach had led to significant practical applications that have helped society. finding from research into factors that distort the accuracy of EWT have helped society in many ways; development of more effective ways to interview eyewitnesses, like the cognitive interview, which has resulted in more accurate EWT’s. this means the cognitive approach has proved to be valuable and help society function.
