Lesson 6: The Cognitive Approach (cognitive Neuroscience)

Question 1

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.
• there are practical applications of cognitive neuroscience. Brain imaging techniques such as OET and fMRI have been used to locate different types of meteor y 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 2

Strengths of the cognitive approach

Answer 2

+ The cognitive approach emphasises scientific methods such as laboratory experiments when collecting data. This means that high levels of control can be exercised in these settings and cause and effects relationships can be identified. However, laboratory experiment scan be criticised for lacking ecological 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.

+ Cognitive psychology has also been used to explain the development of negative schema which can aid our understanding of mental illnesses like depression

-+ The cognitive approach has also had a vast influence on the development of therapies in Psychology. For instance cognitive behavioural therapy aims to change negative thoughts into more positive thoughts to help treat depression.

Question 3

Weaknesses of the cognitive approach

Answer 3

• The cognitive approach uses computer models. Phrases like storage and retrieval are taken direct,y from computing. However, there is an important difference between the sort of information processing that takes place 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 on the other hand, do all of these things.

-The approach can be seen as mechanical in regarding human thinking as processing like the computer leaving little room for irrationality often seen in emotional behaviours.