L6 - The Cognitive Approach (Cognitive Neuroscience)

Question 1

what is cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 1

cognitive and biological processes can be INTEGRATED, leading to a DISCIPLINE KNOWN AS COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE.

This is the SCIENTIFIC STUDY of the NEUROLOGICAL STRUCTURES, MECHANISMS, PROCESSES and CHEMISTRY which are RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR THINKING PROCESSES

Question 2

what are the practical applications of cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 2

there are practical applications of cognitive neuroscience. BRAIN IMAGING TECHNIQUES such as POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY (PET) and FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (fMRI) have been used to locate different types of memory in different areas of the brain.

For instance EPISODIC MEMORIES are in the HIPPOCAMPUS, SEMANTIC MEMORIES are in the TEMPORAL LOBE, and PROCEDURAL MEMORIES are in the CEREBELLUM. This has led to more effective treatments for memory disorders.

Question 3

+ SCIENTIFIC METHODS

Answer 3

+ the cognitive approach emphasises SCIENTIFIC METHODS such as LAB EXPERIMENTS when collecting data. This means that HIGH LEVELS OF CONTROL can be exercised in these settings and CAUSE AND EFFECT can be identified.

However lab experiments can be criticised for LACKING ECOLOICAL VALIDITY, the focus on detail of exactly what can be recalled by participants in controlled environments means an understanding of the EVERYDAY USE OF MEMORY is MISSING FROM EXPLANATIONS.

Question 4

+ development of negative schema

Answer 4

+ cognitive psychology has also been used to explain the DEVELOPMENT of NEGATIVE SCHEMA which can aid our understanding of MENTAL ILLNESSES like DEPRESSION

Question 5

+ development of therapies

Answer 5

+ the cognitive approach has also had a VAST INFLUENCE on the DEVELOPMENT OF THERAPIES IN PSYCHOLOGY. For example, COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY aims to CHANGE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS into MORE POSITIVE THOUGHTS to HELP TREAT DEPRESSION

Question 6

• computer models

Answer 6

• the cognitive approach uses COMPUTER MODELS. Phrases like STORAGE and RETRIEVAL are taken directly from computing, however there is an important DIFFERENCE between the INFORMATION PROCESSING within a COMPUTER PROGRAMME and the processing that takes place in the HUMAN MIND.

Computers DO NOT MAKE MISTAKES, or IGNORE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, or FORGET WHAT HAS BEEN STORED ON THEIR HARD DRIVES. Humans however, do all of these things

Question 7

• can be seen as mechanical

Answer 7

• the cognitive apprach can be seen as MECHANICAL in REGARDING HUMAN THINKING as PROCESSING like the computer, leaving LITTLE ROOM FOR THE IRRATIONALITY often seen in EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOURS.