Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What are the assumptions for the CA?
It argues that internal mental processes should be studied scientifically, investigating areas of human behaviour that are neglected by behaviourists such as memory, perception and thinking. These are private and non-observable processes they indirectly make inferences on basis of behaviour.
What is a schema?
A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing, developed from experience.
What is the role of a schema?
As we get older our schema becomes more detailed and sophisticated as adults develop mental representations They enable us to process lots of information quickly acting as a mental shortcut preventing us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli. Schema may distort our interpretation of sensory info leading to perceptual errors.
What are theoretical and computer models?
Theoretical models are abstract whereas computer models are concrete.
What is an example of a theoretical model?
Information processing approach- suggesting that information follows through the cognitive system is a sequence of stages including input, storage and retrieval. This is based on computer functions but differs from a CM as they would input all these things to see if the same output is produced similar to humans. (A.I is a computer model)
What is cognitive neuroscience?
The scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes.
How did it emerge?
- The mapping of brain areas to specific cognitive functions has a long history. Broca (1860s) identified how damage to an area to frontal lobe (later known as Broca’s Area) could permanently impair speech production.
- Brain imaging such as PET and fMRI’s have only come about in the last 25 years allowing scientists to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes, such as episodic and semantic memory.
- Buckner + Peterson were able to show different types of LTM located on opposite sides of prefrontal cortex.
-Focus of CN has included computer generated models designed to read the brain, leading to techniques such as brain fingerprinting with future application to analyse brain wave patterns of eyewitnesses to determine truth.
What are brief evaluations of CA?
- Scientific methods. [CA: could be to abstract and theoretical, artifical stimuli’s little application]
- Real world application
-Machine reductionism
What are strengths of CA?
- Uses objective scientific methods, employ highly controlled and rigorous methods using lab studies producing reliable data, credible scientific basis as condition and neuroscience come together HOWEVER, CP relies on the inference of mental processes rather than direct observation becoming too abstract and theoretical stimuli’s like word lists are way too inapplicable lacking external validity
- Real world application, dominant approach can be applied. It’s important contribution in AI and development of thinking machines revolutionising the future. Applied to treatment of depression and improves reliability of EWT supporting CA’s value.
What are the limitations of the CA?
Machine reductionism-
Based upon machine reductionism, similarities between human mind and the operations of “thinking machine” such as computers. Ignores influence of human emotion and motivation affecting our ability to process informations. Human memory can be affected by emotional factors such as anxiety, waking validity of CA.
