L6 - The Cognitive Approach: Cognitive Neuroscience

Question 1

What is Cognitive Neuroscience?

Answer 1

When cognitive and biological processes are integrated.

• The scientific study of the neurological structures, mechanisms, processes and chemistry responsible for our thinking processes

Question 2

What are the practical applications of cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 2

• Brain imaging techniques e.g PET and fMRI scans to locate different types of memory on different parts of the brain
• e.g episodic memories - hippocampus, semantic memories - temporal lobe, procedural memories - cerebellum
• Leads to more effective treatments

Question 3

Evaluation of Cognitive Approach

Answer 3

+ Emphasises scientific methods (lab) when collecting data = high levels of control = cause and effect can be established (-) lack of ecological validity, everyday usage of memory is missing
+ Has been used to explain development of negative schema which aids understanding if mental illnesses like depression
+ Vast influence of development of therapies e.g CBT to treat depression

• Approach is mechanical in regarding human thinking as processing like a computer. This leaves little room for irrationality seen in emotional behaviours
• Uses computer models, but computer processing and human processing are different. Computers don’t make mistakes or ignore available information or forget. Humans can and do