Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What are the three assumptions of the cognitive approach?
Though processes can be studied scientifically, the mind works like a computer (input, storage and output) and stimulus and response is appropriate if it is acknowledged through meditational processes
Who researched internal mental processes by doing a cognitive experiment?
Simons and Chabris
What did they do in the study?
They watched a video of two groups passing s basketball around. During the video a gorilla walked along the back but the people watching the video were occupied counting the number of passes
What were the findings of the study?
50% of the participants did not report seeing the gorilla
What is schema?
A collection of ideas about a person, object or situation formed through experience which helps the individual to understand and predict the world around them
What is an example of schema?
Not liking dogs due to a bad experience
What are the two models that explain mental processes?
Theoretical model and computer model
What is the theoretical model?
It describes thought processes in a series of distinct steps eg multi store model or input, processing and output
What is the computer model?
The mind is said to have similarities in the way information is processed. It has a central processing unit (brain) and information is sent in, processed and then there is an output
What has cognitive neuroscience enabled to happen?
It enabled biology and cognitive psychology to come together so the study of the mind has a credible scientific status
How has cognitive neuroscience developed with technology?
Scanning machines have advanced so too has the ability to investigate how the brain activity might underpin thought
What are two strengths of the cognitive approach?
It uses experimental methods therefore results are scientific and it has helped develop treatment
What are the two limitations of the cognitive approach?
The use of lab experiments mean that the research lacks validity and the models can be oversimplifying complex processes
