Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What are the key assumptions of the cognitive approach?
Possible to study internal mental processes scientifically and objectively
-Conclusions are made through inferences from observable behaviours
Uses computer and theoretical models to understand the cognitive processes
-Similar terminoligy to computers is used (‘encoding’, ‘processing’, ‘retrieval’)
What are schemas?
Cognitive framework
-Provides us with ‘mental shortcuts’ so we can quickly process large amounts of data efficiently
-However, because they are ‘pre-conceived’ this may lead to distortions from reality
What is an example of a theoretical model?
Working Memory Model
-Representation of STM
-Central Executive, Visuospatial sketchpad, Phonological loop, episodic buffer
What is the computer analogy?
Relating the brain to a computer-like system.
-Both have Input, Processor (Brain), Output (Computer code/ language)
-This begun after the invention of the computer in the 1960s
-Allowed psychologists to have a metaphor of the mind
What is cognitive neuroscience?
The scientific field concerned with studying biological processes that underlie cognition
-Focusses on the neural connections associated with specific mental processes
What is brain mapping?
Begun in the 1870s
Carl Wernicke
-Based on case studies of patients who had specific damage in a region of their brain
-All suffered Wernicke’s aphasia
What technology is used in Objectively Investigating Brain Localisation Theory?
1970s
PET scans
fMRI (shows what part of the brain become active in different circumstances)
-Burnett used it to find that when people feel ‘guilty’ their medial prefrontal cortex becomes active
These advances in tech made it possible to systematically measure and observe the neural processes related to brain functions
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Scientific method
Rigorous method for collecting and evaluating evidence
-reaches accurate conclusions
Objective, reliable data is gathered through direct observation of neural processes (Using brain scans like PET, CT, MRI, fMRI)
This had benefits for psychology as a whole as it made it more ‘valid’ as a science
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Useful applications
Applied to many areas in psychology
-In Psychopathology it’s used to show how much dysfunctional behaviour can be caused by faulty thought processes
-This led to the developments of cognitive interventions (e.g CBT) to treat disorders like depression
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Overly abstract
Dependent on analogies
-Indirectly studying and inferring the cognitive basis of behaviour
-Therefore means that it is very abstract, with not much empirical evidence of the observed mechanisms
Therefore the practical applications of cognitive research are limited
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Studies are low in ecological validity
For example, in Memory
-ppts asked to remember random words and nonsense syllables
-these are not relevant to things that would need to be remembered in everyday life
(e.g childhood memories or someone’s address)
Therefore low in ecological validity as the findings cannot be generalised to real-life situations
