Cognitive Approach (AO1)

Question 1

key ideas?
(4)

Answer 1

• “cognitive” = mental processes
• should study mental processes like perception, memory etc.
• can do this in a scientific way by making inferences and using models
• compares the human mind to a computer

Question 2

person?
(3)

Answer 2

Ulric Neisser (1928-2012)
- german-born american psychologist
- father of cognitive psychology
- human mind + mental processes can be scientifically measured + analysed

Question 3

Inferences?

Answer 3

= assumption/educated guess
Input -> Cognition -> Output

Question 4

Theoretical models?
(2)

Answer 4

• believe that info is processed in the brain in a series of stages
• brain works like a computer, with memory stored like info in files
• e.g. MSM

Question 5

Schema?
(3)

Answer 5

= packages of information
- developed through lived experiences + act as framework for interpreting new information
- everyone’s schema are unique to that person bc they are built on our own experiences

Question 6

Computer models?
(2)

Answer 6

• modern psychologists have built computer programmes that mimic the human mind
• these can help test ideas about how information is processed

Question 7

Cognitive neuroscience?
(5)

Answer 7

• merges the bio + cog approaches
• main aim = to understand how different regions of the brain influence behaviour and thought processes
• MRI scanners made this a lot easier, they measure change in 02 levels, more 02 = more blood = that area of the brain being used
• useful for seeing which region is for LTM etc.
• also useful to understand disorders e.g. OCD + depression