Cognitive Approach Flashcards
how is the cognitive approach directly contrasting with behaviourism?
it argues that internal mental processes should be studied scientifically
what are the main three things of human behaviour that are investigated?
memory, perception & thinking
key word about studying indirectly
inferences
what are schemas?
- packages of ideas & info developed through experience
- mental framework for interpreting incoming info received by the cognitive system
- helps to respond to an object appropriately
what happens to schemas as we get older?
they get more developed & sophisticated
what models do cognitive psychologists use?
theoretical & computer models
what is cognitive neuroscience?
the scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes
name some brain scans & why they’re good
fMRI & PET scans mean scientists can observe & describe the neurological basis of mental processes & some mental disorders
what is a possible future application of cognitive neuroscience?
analysing brain wave patterns of eye witnesses to determine whether they are lying in court
EVALUATION = positive 1
SCIENTIFIC METHODS
- lab studies = reliable, objective data - cognitive neuroscience has helped to give psychology a credible scientific basis
EVALUATION - positive 2
REAL WORLD APPLICATION
- contributions to AI & ‘thinking machines’ (robots)
- treating depression
- improved reliability of EWT
EVALUATION - negative 1
MACHINE REDUCTIONISM
- criticised as the computer analogy doesn’t take into account human motivation & emotion and how it affects our ability to process info
- example = influence of anxiety on eyewitnesses
EVALUATION - negative 2
IGNORES IMPORTANT FACTORS
- tells us how but not why cognitive processes take place
- may be a result of the computer analogy
the cognitive model
input in the environment –> mediational process (mental event) –> output (behaviour)
what specific thing is studied?
the internal events that occur between stimuli & response
what is the brain seen as?
an information processor
guilt example
BURNETT ET AL (2009)
when people feel guilt, several areas are activated including the pre-frontal cortex
memory example
BUCKNER & PETERSON (1996)
episodic & semantic LTMs are stored in opposite sides of the pre-frontal cortex
