cognitive approach Flashcards
what is the cognitive approach?
● all behaviour preceded by a thought
● thought processes can and should be studied scientifically
● investigates memory, perception and thinking
why was the cognitive approach developed?
behaviourist approach failed to acknowledge mental processes
why is it difficult to directly study internal mental processes?
● we cannot directly observe mental processes
● therefore an inference has to be made
what is an inference?
when we make assumptions about mental processes (that cannot be directly observed) by observing a persons behaviour
what are the 3 assumptions of the cognitive approach?
● theoretical models can be used to explain mental processes
● behaviour is influenced by schemas
● the mind is like a computer
explain theoretical models
● as we can not investigate mind directly, we can create theoretical models to explain how processes such as memory work
● e.g. the multi store model of memory and working memory model
explain schemas
● packages of ideas and info developed through experience
● they are our expectations about what we are supposed to do
why are schemas useful?
● help us process info quickly
● so, not overwhelmed by environment
why are schemas not useful?
● they can distort our interpretations of sensory information
● creating false memories
explain the computer analogy
● input: takes information from the environment via the senses
● processing: info is encoded and processed by the brain (e.g. using schemas stored in memory)
● output: some form of observable behaviour is shown
