Concepts (CLOA)

Question 1

Cognitive Level Of Analysis

Answer 1

The cognitive level of analysis (CLA) is based on how mental processes such as perception, attention, language, memory and thinking in the brain processes information.
It concerns the way we take in information from the outside world, how we make sense of that information and what use we make of it.

Question 2

Principals of CLOA + their purpose

Answer 2

Human beings are information processors and that mental representations guide behaviour
Mental processes can and should be studied scientifically by developing theories and by using a variety of research methods
Social and cultural factors affect cognitive processes

Purpose of the principles:
These principles are the main ideas that have driven focused research on specific areas of behaviour and cognition.
They also allow us to understand how behaviour can be influenced by cognitive processes

Question 3

Cognition

Answer 3

Refers to a process that is based on one’s mental representations of the world, such as images, words and concepts
People likewise have different experiences and therefore each individual will have different mental representations of the world.

Question 4

Schema

Answer 4

Schemas are cognitive structures that organise knowledge stored in our memory.
They are mental representations of categories (from our knowledge, beliefs and expectations) about particular aspects of the world such as people, objects, events, and situations.

Question 5

Types of Schema

Answer 5

Scripts provide information about the sequence of events that occur in particular contexts (e.g. going to a restaurant, visiting the dentist, attending class).s 
Self-schemas organise information we have about ourselves (information stored in our memory about our strengths and weaknesses and how we feel about them). 
Social schemas (e.g. stereotypes) – represent information about groups of people (e.g. Americans, Egyptians, women, accountants, etc.).

Question 6

Schema Theory

Answer 6

Cognitive theory of processing and organizing information.
Schema theory states that “as active processors of information, humans integrate new information with existing, stored information.”

Existing knowledge stored in our memory (what we already know) and organized in the form of schemas will affect information processing and behaviour in specific settings.
E.g. Information we already know affects the way we interpret new information and events and how we store it in our memory.
It is not possible to see how knowledge is processed and stored in the brain, but the concept of schema theory helps psychologists understand and discuss what cannot be seen.
Schema theory can describe how specific knowledge is organised and stored in memory so that it can be retrieved.

Question 7

Memory

Answer 7

Memory is defined to be the mental process of encoding, storing and retrieving information.

Question 8

Memory Processes

Answer 8

Memory undergoes a series of stages in order to store its information.
Encoding process: incoming information is organized and transformed so it can be entered into memory
Storage process: involves entering and maintaining information in memory for a period of time
Retrieval process: involves recovering stored information from memory so it can be used

Question 9

Memory Models

Answer 9

Multistore Model (MSM) 
Working Memory Model (WM) 
Levels of Processing Model (LOP)