P2 Approaches: Cognitive Approach

Question 1

What are the assumptions of the cognitive approach

Answer 1

1. Behaviour is the result of conscious and unconscious information processing (thoughts)
2. Argues that internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically

Question 2

What was internal mental processes

Answer 2

A series of stages of mental information processing. Stages are represented by cognitive theories as theoretical models

Question 3

What are theoretical models

Answer 3

Like Flow charts showing how info flows and is processed in a mental system such as memory or attention. These models produce theories testable by experiment

Question 4

What does the cognitive approach suggest

Answer 4

It suggests that the brain can be viewed as similar to a computer through the computer model

Question 5

Outline the computer analogy

Answer 5

1. Input - First we pay attention and code info through our senses
2. Processing - Then we combine it with previously stored info and problem solve
3. Output - Then we complete the task

Question 6

What is a schema

Answer 6

Schemas are cognitive frameworks of how people/objects work. Formed from prior experience becoming more sophisticated overtime. Allow us to take shortcuts when processing new info. However incorrect schema lead to stereotypes, prejudice and bias

Question 7

What is assimilation

Answer 7

When we add new info to an existing schema e.g. a new breed of dog and adding that to our schema of dog

Question 8

What is accommodation

Answer 8

When an old schema has to be adapted, or new schema has to be created. E.g. a child with a pet dog may think that all animals with 4 legs, fur, a tail is a dog until they create a new schema for the different animad

Question 9

What are inferences

Answer 9

Going beyond observed behaviour to make assumptions about the underlying structure of mental processes that resulted in the behaviour

Question 10

What is the computer model

Answer 10

Is how we think of the structure of the mind/system as analogous to a computer, such as CPU=brain, Coding=turning stimuli into thoughts, memory stores=specialist memory areas in the brain

Question 11

What has cognitive neuroscience allowed for us to do

Answer 11

Brain scanning techniques such as FMRI have allowed thought processes to be linked to patterns of activity in the brain, providing neuro-biological support to pre-existing cognitive models

Question 12

Advantages?

Answer 12

• soft determinism = sees humans as being able to reason and make conscious decisions within the limits of what they know or theire ‘cognitive system’
• practical applications of cognitive neuroscience = used in medicine to save lives

Question 13

Disadvantages?

Answer 13

• based on machine reductionism = similarities between the human mind and a computer. It ignores emotions, irrationality, consciousness
• using inferences to assume underlying processes in thinking is unscientific as internal mental processes cannot be directly tested and inferences may be mistaken or biased