COGNITIVE Assumptions

Question 1

The computer analogy

Answer 1

Compares a human mind to a computer
Compares how we take information (input) store it or change it (process) and then recall it when necessary
The Multistor Memory Model (Atkinson and Shriffn 1968)
Proposed that information enters the brain through the senses and then moves to the short term memory store, and then to the long term memory store. When information is received, it becomes an output

Question 2

Internal Mental Processes

Answer 2

Compares a human mind to a computer
Compares how we take information (input) store it or change it (process) and then recall it when necessary
The Multistor Memory Model (Atkinson and Shriffin 1968)
Proposed that information enters the brain through the senses and then moves to the short term memory store, and then to the long term memory store. When information is received, it becomes an output

Question 3

Schemata

Answer 3

chemata are mental structures that represent an aspect of the world
Help us to make sense of the world, providing short cuts to identifying things we come across
Without schemata, we would struggle to navigate our way through the world
Schemata are generated both through past experience and through interactions
Not always correct
Basis for stereotypes
Schemata can also alter our memory - Allport and Postman (1947) researched the effect of stereotypes on recall
Stereotype is simply a schema containing beliefs about a certain group of people
Showed white participants a picture of a black person being held at knifepoint by a white man.
They misremembered a black man as the mugger

Question 4

Relationship formation - Schemata

Answer 4

Schemas may govern how we feel and act towards them
Dion et al. (1972) demonstrated that people believe that physically attractive people also have attractive personal qualities
Halo effect
If we perceive a person to be physically attractive, we may also think of them having good qualities (kind) and may become interested in a relationship with them

Question 5

Relationship Formation - Internal Mental Processes

Answer 5

Self-perception and the perception of others
The way we believe others to be will determine whether we desire to enter into a relationship with them
First impressions
If we have positive memories of past relationships, we may be driven to forming new relationships
If our memories are negative and we remember being hurt, we may be very reluctant to form new ones