Lesson 4 Flashcards
A01 The assumptions
Internal mental processes should be studied scientifically e.g. perception and memory.
the cognitive approach seeks to explain how this effects behaviour
these mental processes cannot be directly observed
as an alternative, inferences are made. this means a conclusion is reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.
What is an inference and why are they made?
Inference is the act of drawing conclusions from evidence and reasoning. This means we take the clues from observable behaviour to suggest what is going in the observable mind.
These processes are private and cannot be observed, so cognitive psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside people’s minds on the basis of their behaviour.
Cognitive psychologists argue that internal mental processes can be studied scientifically
Experiment time - capacity of short term memory
Jacobs (1887) tested the capacity of short term memory. He gave participants a list of numbers/ letters. the length of the lists were increased, until the participants were unable to recall the numbers. He found participants were only able to recall on average 9 numbers and 7 letters.
What is an inference?
Making assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed by using immediate research evidence.
What are theoretical and computer models?
These models help us to explain human behavior.
They also help us make inferences about mental processes.
There is a slight overlap but one key difference is theoretical models are abstract whereas computer models are a lot more concrete.
How do theoretic models work?
They are simplified usually pictorial representations of particular mental processes based on current research evidence.
One example of a theoretical model is the multi store model of memory.
Used to show info flowing through the cognitive system in a series of stages.
How do computer models work?
human cognition can be explained or represented using a computer analogy.
with a computer you have to input data which goes to a central processing unit.
the brain (the CPU) takes in data through sensory memory.
A computer has to encode this data ( a series of digits/symbols etc.)
The memory encodes data too for example visual/auditory.
in both computers and the brain/memory the data is then stored and retrieved when needed.
What are schemas?
A cognitive mental framework is developed from experience. a schema is a set of beliefs or expectations which help to organize and interpret information in the brain, this is cognitive processing.
Schemas allow us to fill in the gaps of information, inform our expectations and enable us to behave ‘appropriately’ in a situation.
they allow us to take quick mental short-cuts when interpreting the huge amounts of info we deal with every day.
what is the correlation between schemas and depression?
Negative schemas develop in childhood and adolescence as a result of rejection by parents or friends in the form of criticism and exclusion or perhaps by the loss of a close family member.
Such negative events mould the person’s concept of themselves as unwanted or unloved. This then filters into adulthood, which may lead to the development of depression.
The emergence of cognitive neuroscience
- early CN involved the scientific study of brain structure and mental processes.
- we are still improving our knowledge of the structure of the brain.
PET scans and fMRI scans can enable us to observe and identify the neurological basis of mental processes.
much of the research is carried out on individuals with brain damage or other neurological damage.
Two of the earliest areas to be identified: Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area.
Paul Broca identified how damage to an area of the frontal lobe could permanently damage speech production whereas the Wernicke’s area is responsible for speech comprehension.
Cognitive neuroscience has expanded recently to include the use of computer generated models which are designed to read the brain. This has led to the development of mind mapping techniques known as brain finger printing. a possible future application could be analyzing brain wave patterns of eyewitnesses to determine whether they are lying in court.
Scientific methods - strength
- it uses objective and scientific methods
cognitive psychologists employ highly controlled and rigorous methods of study so researchers are able to infer cognitive processes - the usage of lab studies has been promoted as it produces reliable and objective data. the emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enable the two fields of biological and cognitive psychology to come together to enhance the scientific basis of study.
- therefore this means the study of the mind has a credible scientific basis.
- however - cognitive psychology relies on the interference of mental processes, rather than direct observation of behavior. As internal mental processes cannot be observed, the inferences may not be accurate.
real life application - strength
- it has practical application
- within psychopathology the cognitive approach has been used to explain how much of the dysfunctional behavior displayed by individuals with depression can be traced back to faulty thinking processes.
- the cognitive approach has allowed psychologists to find out the cause of psychological disorders. consequently, this can inform psychologists on how to provide successful treatments of people suffering from disorders, like depression using cognitive - behavioral therapy (CBT).
provides real life applicability as it can improve the quality of life of people with mental health conditions.
machine reductionism - limitation
- based on machine reductionism
- research has found that human memory can be affected by emotional factors such as the influence of anxiety on the accuracy of eyewitness testimonies.
- ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system and how this might affect our ability to process information.
- therefore, this makes the cognitive approach a machine reductionist as it has not incorporated other factors like emotions.
Use of computer models - limitation
- computer analogy is limited in it’s ability to explain cognitive processes in humans.
- cognitive psychology borrows terms directly from computer science to explain processes such as encoding storage and retrieval but these do not accurately describe all of the processes in a human brain.
- humans are prone to make errors, forget info and even choose not to attend some info whereas a computer takes all info into account.
therefore, human behavior is far more complex and cannot be explained through an overly mechanical computer system.
