cognitive approach Flashcards
cognitive approach
focuses on mental process and compares it to computers
assumptions
argues mentalinternalprocess should be studied scientifically
investigats areas neglected by behaviourists
these prcesses cant be obserevd to should be studied ‘indirectly’ by making inferences
-understnad their mind through their behaviour
bugelski and almpay (1961)
rat - man experiment
2 groups either shown faces or animals
depeneding on previous images either saw a man or a rat
role of schema
shema is packages of ideas and information developed through experience
helps us remeber and interpret information quickly and effectively
limitations to schema
causes us to exclude things that dont conform with our ideas and beliefs
they lead to development of stereotypes
may lead to perceptual error
theoretical model
representation of what cognitive psychologists ‘think’ (based on inference) is going on internally
suggestsinformation goes through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages
-I.E. WMM and MSM
computer models
human minds have similar process to computers
input -processing-output
has elped with the developmentof AI
problems with computer analogy
humans experience emotions but computers dont
humas forget things but computers dont
emergnce of cognitive neuroscience
scientific study of structure of the brain and how it affects humans mental process
focuses on mapping specific areas of the brain to different cognitive functions
adances in brain scanning technology, psychologists have been able to describe the neurological wy of mental processing
broca’s area
1860’s broca found area of the brain responsible for speech production
person who could understand what people said but struggled to talk had ‘Broca’s aphasia
types of brain scans
EEG - shows when brain activity occurs
FMRI - shows where activity in brain occurs
strength: scientific methods
use of objective scientifc methos
useof lab studies to produce reliableobjective data
cognitive neurscience has allowed biology and cognitive psychology to come together
uses highly controlled and rigorous methods
however
relies on inferencesrather than direct observation
too abstract and theoretical in nature
useof artificial stimuli
may lack external validity
strength: real world application
can be applied towide range of theoretical and practical contexts
made imprtant contributions to field of AI and development of robots
have been applied to treatment of depression
improved reliability of eye witness testimonys
limitation: machine reductionism
based on machine reductionism
-computer analogy ignores influence of human emoton/motivation
may weaen validity
-example: influence of anxiety on eye witness testimony
