Cognitive Approach Flashcards
Name the key assumptions of the cognitive approach.
- Argues that internal processes should be studied scientifically
- Investigates areas like memory, perception and thinking
- These processes have to be studied indirectly by inferences
What does cognitive mean?
Relates to mental processes such as perception, memory and reasoning
What is cognitive neuroscience?
An area of psychology dedicated to the underlying neural functions of cognitive processes
What are computer models?
Using computer analogies to explain human cognition
What are theoretical models?
Simplified representations of a particular mental process based on current research evidence
What is a schema?
An organised pattern of thought or behaviour that organises categories of information and the relationships among them
What are the strengths and weaknesses of schemas?
Strengths:
- Helps us to take shortcuts when interpreting large amounts of information
Weaknesses:
- May cause development of stereotypes
- Exclusion of information that doesn’t contain to our pre existing ideas
State the theoretical model of memory.
Input —> Storage —> Retrieval
State the multi-store model of memory.
Sensory information —> Sensory register —> STM —> LTM —>
Sensory info -> sensory register = attention
STM -> LTM = transfer (rehearsal loop)
LTM -> STM = retrieval
What scanners are used in cognitive neuroscience?
PET
MRI / FMRI
EEG
What information does scanning techniques give us about human behaviour?
- Identifies brain differences within those with brain disorders or mental health conditions
- In depth study on what certain brain areas are responsible for
What important discoveries have been made due to the emergence of cognitive neuroscience?
- Discovery of ocular dominance columns
- Eye and head coordination
What are the strengths of the cognitive approach?
- Scientifically objective
- Strong focus on internal mental processes
- Models have helped to explain internal mental processes
What are the weaknesses of the cognitive approach?
- Machine reductionism
- Fails to recognise human emotions
- Over simplifies complex mental processes
- Lacks ecological validity due to its lab experiments
