Cognitive Approach Flashcards
Key assumptions of cognitive approach
- The cognitive approach focuses on internal processes in the mind
• The approach believed that is we want to understand an individuals behaviour, we first need to understand their mind. Therefore, cognitive psychology refers to the study of human mental processes and the role they play in thinking, feeling, and behaving.
• In other words, they are interested in the variables that mediate between stimulus/input and response/output- how does the way humans process information and how this shapes behaviour
• People actively try to make sense of their environments by considering the meaning of stimuli and organising information in a structured way - Unlike behaviourists, cognitive psychologists do believe that internal mental processes can be studied scientifically. Therefore, they use methods such as lab experiments and controlled+structured observations and brain scans
However, they do acknowledge that processes are private (not directly accessible) so psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences.
3) Use of models- As cognitive processing is not observable, it employs models/metaphors to explain what is happening in the mind and help to explain complex and abstract theories. For example, the computer analogy and multi-store model
4) We use schemas to organise information about the world
• Schemas are ways of organising knowledge and experience of the world into ‘templates’ that are used to make sense of objects, situations and people we encounter.
• Schemas come from our experiences. They are a framework of beliefs & expectations that shape our cognitive processing
5) Cognitive neuroscience
cognitive science was formally formed in MIT in 1956 and cognitive neuroscience was coined by George Miller and Michael Gazzaniga in the 1970s.
Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes.
Is a combination of 2 approaches cognitive and biological
A result in development in brain scanning technology.
It involves ‘brain mapping’ -mapping brain area/ structures to specific cognitive functions
What is an inference?
To make and assumption about a persons mental processing based on their behaviour (assumptions are subjective and can be incorrect)
Similarities between human and computer processes
- both have a processor which controls what happens
-both have inputs and outputs
-parts are inter connected
Differences between human and computer processes
-humans are affected by emotions, perceptions and motivational factors
-humans have free will
- humans do not have a limited memory but memory is unreliable
What does multi store model suggest?
This suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in stages-one example of this is multi-store model
A cognitive model of the memory system would suggest that it has two main components, one for dealing with the information that we need to process now (working memory), and another for storing all the information we have acquired in the past and might need again in the future (long term memory).
These components are assumed to be interconnected, because current information processing may need to draw on past experience and because the outcome of current information processing might need to be stored for future reference.
Strengths of schemas
-mental shortcut which can prevent the brain becoming overwhelmed
Can help us to predict future situations to reduce anxiety
Weaknesses of schemas
-filling in the gaps can lead to inaccuracy of memory- problematic for things such as EWT
-negative schemas can lead to depression
- if schema doesn’t match reality this can lead to distortion
How has the development of cognitive neuroscience benefited psychology?
- more scientific/objective in research study
-provided neurobiological basis of certain psychological disorders
-early identification for cognitive problems prior to observable behaviours has provided potential for early intervention
