cognitive approach - assumptions

Question 1

what is the first assumption of the cognitive approach?

Answer 1

the computer analogy :
- cognitive psychologists have compared the mind to a computer
- like a computer, we receive inputs (stimuli), we process it (storage) and we output information (recall)
- like a computer, the mind has hardware and software; the brain and our mental processes

Question 2

what is an example of the computer analogy?

Answer 2

the multistore memory model (Atkinson and Shriffin 1968) :
- this model suggests there are at least 2 memory stores - short term and long term
- various mental processes operate the system, such as rehearsal

Question 3

what is the second assumption of the cognitive approach?

Answer 3

internal mental processes :
- cognitive psychologists see humans as information processors
- essential internal mental processes work together to make sense of the world
- these internal mental processes will affect how we see the world and therefore how we behave and feel, so it’s important we understand how they work

Question 4

what are the key mental processes?

Answer 4

1. attention - how we focus on one or two things at a time
2. memory - the encoding, storage and recall of information
3. perception - taking in and interpreting sensory information
4. language - using words to communicate with and understand others

Question 5

what is the effect of internal mental processes going wrong?

Answer 5

this affects how we see the world and other people
- those faulty thoughts may lead to mental illnesses
- for example, anorexics have faulty perceptions of their body
- schizophrenics have faulty perceptions of the world around them and may develop paranoia, like thinking they are being followed

Question 6

what is the third assumption of the cognitive approach?

Answer 6

schemas :
- a schema is a packet of knowledge or collection of ideas about something
- for example, we have a schema for ‘how to make a cup of tea’, what a dog looks like, what happens when you get a bus
- schemas are important as they help us understand the world around us and what to do in different situations
- schemas will develop from our past experiences
- 2 types of schemas : event schemas and role schemas

Question 7

what does Beck suggest about schemas?

Answer 7

if we have negative schemas of ourselves, the world around us and our future, we will likely end up depressed
- this is called the cognitive triad

Question 8

how does one assumption apply to relationship formation?

Answer 8

schemas :
- we have schemas for other people, and these will influence whether we choose to form a relationship with them
- one schema we have is that physically attractive people also have other positive qualities
- this is called the halo effect or the ‘what is beautiful is good’ hypothesis

Question 9

what is the matching hypothesis?

Answer 9

• we also have self-schemas and these will influence our perceptions of ourselves and how others may see us
• the matching hypothesis suggests that we believe we will only be successful in forming relationships with those of equal attractiveness to ourselves
• so if we perceive ourselves to be of average attractiveness, we will seek to form relationships with people we perceive are our equals