Cognitive Approach Flashcards
1
Q
What is cognition?
A
- ‘Cognition’ is a term that refers to the conscious and unconscious mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and understanding.
- According to the cognitive approach our mental processes affect our behaviour.
2
Q
What are some mental processes?
A
- Reasoning
- Attention
- Analysing
- Remembering
- Decision making etc.
3
Q
What are the main assumptions of the cognitive approach?
A
- Cognitive psychologists believe that behaviour is influenced by our internal mental processes and that the human mind actively processes info.
4
Q
How can cognitive processes be studied?
A
- Cognitive processes can be studied indirectly by making inferences about what’s going on inside people’s minds on the basis of their outward behaviour. The aim of these studies is to identify and understand the processes and structures that underlie thinking.
5
Q
Define inference
A
- Going beyond immediate evidence to make assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed.
6
Q
What are the theoretical models?
A
- Internal processes are studied using 2 theoretical models; the computer model and the information processing model.
- These models can be used to provide testable theories about mental processing. They can be studied scientifically using controlled experimental methods.
7
Q
Computer models
A
- Use the computer as a tool for explaining how the human mind handles information.
- This computer analogy simplifies the complexities of human cognition so that it can be better understood.
- According to this model, the human mind works like a computer.
- Using the concept that the brain is the central processing unit, the information is received and coded into a more usable format, then it is stored in designated components within the brain.
8
Q
Information processing model
A
- According to the IPM the information flows through the cognitive system in a clear sequence of stages that includes an input, storage and retrieval of information.
For example: - Input processes are concerned with the analysis of the stimuli.
- Storage processes cover everything that happens to stimuli internally in the brain. This can include coding and manipulation of the stimuli.
- Output processes are responsible for preparing an appropriate response to a stimulus.
9
Q
Information processing model (SIMPLIFIED)
A
- Input= senses
- Process= Cognitive process
- Output= behaviour
10
Q
Role of schemas (+)
A
- Mental packages of info based on previous experiences.
- Cognitive frameworks that help organise and interpret info, helping us to predict what will happen next and to process vast amounts of information quickly.
- They are mental shortcuts that allow us to make assumptions and prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.
- They help us to fill in gaps in our knowledge and understanding the absence of full info.
11
Q
Role of schemas (-)
A
- Schemas can cause biased recall in that we see only what we expect to see and can also distort perceptual processing, leading to the recall of inaccurate memories.
- Schemas have a tendency to encourage stereotypical thinking.
- Faulty or negative schemas can have a negative impact on mental health.
12
Q
Rat-man experiment (procedure)
A
Bulgelski & Alampay
- Two groups of ppts were shown a sequence of pictures either a number of different faces or a number of different animals. They were then shown an ambiguous figure; the rat-man.
13
Q
Ran-man experiment (findings)
A
- Ppts who saw a sequence of faces were more likely to perceive the figure as a man, whereas ppts who saw a sequence of animals were more likely to perceive the figure man as a rat.
14
Q
Rat-man experiment (conclusions)
A
- This shows that expectation affects perception, in other words, if we ‘switch on’ our schema for animals, it is more likely that we will see an animal. This supports the idea that our internal mental processes are affected by our schema.
