cognitive approach Flashcards

1
Q

what is the cognitive approach? (3)

A

● all behaviour preceded by a thought

● thought processes can and should be studied scientifically

● investigates memory, perception and thinking

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

why was the cognitive approach developed?

A

behaviourist approach failed to acknowledge mental processes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

why is it difficult to directly study internal mental processes? (2)

A

● we cannot directly observe mental processes

● therefore, an inference has to be made

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what is an inference? (2)

A

● when we make assumptions about mental processes (that cannot be directly observed)

● by observing a persons behaviour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what are the 3 assumptions of the cognitive approach?

A

● theoretical models can be used to explain mental processes

● behaviour is influenced by schemas

● the mind is like a computer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

outline theoretical models (2)

A

● 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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what are schemas? (2)

A

● packages of ideas and info developed through experience

● they are our expectations about what we are supposed to do

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

why are schemas useful? (2)

A

● help us process info quickly

● so, not overwhelmed by environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

why are schemas not useful? (2)

A

● they can distort our interpretations of sensory information

● creating false memories

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

describe the computer analogy (3)

A

● 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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly