Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Cognitive approach A01

Answer 1

-The cognitive approach focuses on internal mental processes (e.g., perception, memory, attention) and how they influence behaviour.
-Since mental processes cannot be directly observed, cognitive psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences based on behaviour.
-The approach uses controlled, objective, scientific methods (e.g., lab experiments) to study cognition.
- The mind is likened to a computer — encoding, storing, and retrieving information. Models such as the Multi-Store Model of Memory reflect this.
-chemas are mental frameworks developed from experience that help us interpret information, though they may lead to perceptual errors or biases.
-Cognitive Neuroscience: This is a modern development that combines cognitive psychology and neuroscience e.g FMRI

Question 2

What are the 4 assumptions of the cognitive approach?

Answer 2

1. Mediational processes occur between stimulus and response
2. Psychology should be seen as a science and uses experimental methods
   to investigate cognition.
3. Humans are information processors
4. The role of the schema

Question 3

Why do they think pscyhology shuld be seenas a science

Answer 3

Cognitive psychologists follow the example of the behaviourists in preferringobjective, controlled, scientific methods for investigating behaviour.

They use experimental methodology, using standardised procedures, control of variables and yield empirical data to make inferences about mental processes. E.g. Miller’s
experiment investigating the capacity of STM.

Inference is used to make assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly
observed/going beyond the immediate research evidence, as seen through the use of
inferential tests, e.g. Wilcoxon test.

Question 4

How are humans info processors

Answer 4

Information processing in humans resembles that in computers, and is based
on transforming information, storing information and retrieving information from
memory. Information processing models of cognitive processes such as memory and
attention assume that mental processes follow a clear sequence.
For example, The Multistore Model of Memory

Question 5

What is schema?

Answer 5

-Cognitive processing can often be affected by a person’s beliefs or expectations, often referred to as schema.
-Schema are mental representations of ideas and
information developed through experience.
Schema enables us to process lots of information quickly and this is useful as a sort of mental short-cut that prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental
stimuli.
-However, schema may also distort our interpretations of sensory information,
leading to perceptual errors e.g. prejudice

Question 6

Discuss the emergence of cogntivie neuroscience

Answer 6

-Cognition and biological processes can be integrated leading to cognitiveneuroscience as a way forward to understanding human behaviour.
-For example, cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the influence of brain nstructures on mental processes, done through the use of brain scanning techniques such as fMRI.
-The focus of cognitive neuroscience has expanded recently to include the use of artificial intelligence and computer-generated models that are designed to ‘read’ the brain.
-Bringing together biopsychology and the models developed on cognitive psychology.

Question 7

A03 - Machine reductionism ignores human emotion

Answer 7

-Although there are similarities between the human mind and the operations of a computer (inputs and outputs, storage systems, the use of a central processor), the computer analogy has been criticised by many.
-Such machine reductionism ignores the influence of
human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system, and how this may affect our ability to process information.
-For instance, research has found that human memory may be affected by emotional factors, such as the influence of anxiety on eyewitnesses.
-This limitation therefore questions the comprehensiveness of the cognitive approach.

Question 8

A03 - Lab studies lack ecological validity

Answer 8

-Whilst the results of laboratory-based experiments e.g., Miller’s STM capacity experiment, yield objective, empirical data which can be repeated to ensure consistency, the results may lack ecological validity and generalisation to everyday life, as the influences on
individuals aside of the lab, may be very different to when in the controlled environment.
-This means that we must be cautious when applying the results of experiments to everyday cognitive tasks.