Cognitive approach Flashcards
assumptions of cognitve
- internal mental processes influence our behaviour
- we can study internal mental process scientifically
introduction of cognitive approach
developed in the 60s as a response to behaviourist failure to acknowledge internal mental processes
main assumption of cognitive
information received from our senses is processed in the mind and that this processing directs the way we behave
what are schemas?
- thinking shortcuts that organise and contain info like filing cabinets
- package of beliefs and expectations on a topic that came from prior experiences
problems with schemas?
can lead to faulty conclusions and unhelpful behaviours due to prejudice
Bugelski and Alampay (1962)
- ppts shown a sequence of either animals or faces then an optical illusion of a ‘rat-man’
- ppts who saw a sequence of animals saw a rat
- ppts who saw a sequence of faces saw a man
information processing unit
input (from the environment via senses) - processing (info encoded and processed using schemas) - output (observable behaviour)
the use of computer models
development of computers in the 60s led to computer models emerging within psych to explain different mental processes
cognitive neuroscience
- influence of the brain structure on mental processes
- advances in scanning technology means scientists can describe the basis of processing
- PET and MRIs highlight what parts of the brain are active during which mental process
strengths of cognitive approach
real world applications
- e.g better understanding of thinking patterns and treating illnesses e.g CBT
- shows sig contributions and successful treatment
use of the scientific method
- rigorous method of collecting and evaluating data
- allows accurate conclusions to be drawn
limitations of cognitive
ignores the role of motivation and emotion
- says how diff processes take place but not why
- M&E are sig dimensions of behaviour and are overlooked w/ the use of computer analogies
computer models have limited explanatory power
- E.g terms like ‘encoding’ etc taken from computers
- processing in computers is different to humans, they don’t make mistakes or forget like we do
