Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Define inference

Answer 1

Going beyond the immediate evidence to make assumptions about internal mental processes that cannot be directly observed.

Question 2

What is a schema?

Answer 2

• Packages of ideas and info developed thorugh experience.
• Act as mental framework for incoming information.
• Useful as mental shortcut, preventing us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.
• But could distort interpretations of sensory information= perceptual errors.

Question 3

What models are used to help understand internal mental processes?

Answer 3

Theoretical and computer models.

Question 4

What is a theoretical model?

Answer 4

• Diagrams that show how info flows through different stages.
• Simplify complex processes.
• e.g. working memory model (Baddeley & Hitch) - Theorectical model for STM.

Question 5

What is a computer model?

Answer 5

• An analogy comparing the mind to a computer.
• e.g. LTM - hard disk
• STM - computer’s RAM

Question 6

What does the cognitive approach focus on?

Answer 6

• Focuses on how mental processes affect behaviour. (thoughts memory etc.)
• Argues internal mental processes should be studied scientifically.

Question 7

Why may schemas not be useful?

Answer 7

• Contribute to stereotypes, making it hard to retain new info that don’t conform to our established ideas.
• Could distort interpretations of sensory information= perceptual errors.

Question 8

What is one issue of studying internal mental processes?

Answer 8

• One issue with studying internal mental processes is direct observation is not possible and must be inferred from the behaviour of a participant.
• And this inference could be mistaken/incorrect.

Question 9

What is cognitive nueroscience?

Answer 9

• Scientific study of brain structures/mechanisms, responsible for mental processes.
• Brain scanning techniques such as MRI and PET scans to see which parts of brain are active while specific internal mental processes are being used
• May lead to treatments for memory problems for example.

Question 10

What are the evaluations of the cognitive approach?

Answer 10

• Uses objective, scientific methods.
• (Counterpoint) Studies of mental processes use artifical stimuli.
• Has practical application.
• Based on machine reductionism.

Question 11

Evaluation: Uses objective, scientific methods.

Answer 11

• Strength: Uses objective, scientific methods.
• Involved lab studies which were well-controlled
• Which produced reliable objective data through direct observation of mental processes as seen in PET and fMRI scans.
• Means that the emergence of cognitive nueroscience has increased scientific credibility of psychology

Question 12

Evaluation: (counterpoint) Studies of mental processes use artifical stimuli.

Answer 12

• (Counterpoint) Studies of mental processes use artifical stimuli.
• We form memories based on useful things such as faces and places.
• But most research studies of mental processes use word lists and number lists to test memory
• Little meaning to ppt
• So artifical stimuli doesn’t represent everyday life
• Lack external validity.

Question 13

Evaluation: Has practical application

Answer 13

• Strength: Has practical application
• Cognitive psychology has made important contributions towards artifical intelligence (AI)
• and development of robots.
• These may revolutionise how we live in the future
• e.g. also increased understanding of neural processes has proved useful in treatments for depression.
• Increases value of cognitive approach.

Question 14

Evaluation: Based on machine reductionism.

Answer 14

• Limitation: Based on machine reductionism.
• Similarities between human mind and a computer. e.g. STM- computer’s RAM.
• Machine reductionism ignores influence of human emotion on mental processes.
• e.g. anxiety on eyewitnesses testimony.
• Weakens validity of cognitive approach.