The Approaches: The Cognitive Approach Flashcards
According to the cognitive approach what does our mind work like?
A computer
How is the cognitive approach different to the behaviorist approach?
The cognitive approach suggests we actively process and organise information WHEREAS the behaviourist approach suggests we passively respond to stimuli
What is meant by ‘inferences’
Going beyond the immediate evidence to draw logical assumptions about internal mental processes
Describe the three-stage process of the computer model
INPUT (info from env.) –> PROCESS (we interpret) —-> OUTPUT (behaviour)
What is one benefit of using models according to the cognitive approach?
They provide testable theories about mental processing and can be studied scientifically
What is meant by ‘schemas’?
Mental representations
How are ‘schemas’ created?
Experience
Where are ‘schemas’ held?
In our LTM
Name one reason why schemas are beneficial
- Can help us predict what might happen
- Help us make quick decisions
- Prevent us from being overwhelmed
Name one reason why schemas may not be beneficial
- Biased recall / EWT; we will recall what we expect to see
- Negative schemas may make an individual vulnerable to depression
What are the three parts of the computer model?
Input
Processing
Output
What part of the depression topic is an example of the a computer model?
Ellis ABC Model
Name one example of a theoretical model?
Multi-store model
What is a theoretical model?
Models can be used to provide testable theories about mental processing and can be studied scientifically and inferences made.
Cognitive neuroscience is scientific study of brain/neurological structures, mechanisms, processes, chemistry that are responsible for
Cognitive/mental/thinking processes
Cognitive neuroscience has developed because of changes in technology. Name two brain imaging techniques used by cognitive neuroscientists?
fMRI and PET scans
Cognitive neuroscience works by comparing what and what do they want to identify
People with a disorder to those without a disorder to identify the physical basis for cognitive processes in the brain
Cognitive neuroscience argue which types of models are important to understand how individuals think?
Computer Models
Tulving used brain scans where he asked participants to complete tasks that used which two types of Long Term Memory (LTM)?
Episodic and semantic memory
Tulving argued that the two parts of LTM are located on opposite sides of which brain area?
Pre-frontal cortex
Think about DREAMS. What AO3 points could you use?
Practical Applications
Soft Determinism
Scientific Methods
What does the cognitive approach study?
Internal mental processes
How does the cognitive approach study behaviour?
Scientifically, through lab experiments and brain scans
What is an inference in cognitive psychology?
Logical assumptions based on behaviour.
What analogy does the cognitive approach use?
Computer analogy
What are the three stages in the information-processing model?
Input, processing, output
What is the output in the information-processing model?
Behaviour or emotion
What is a schema?
Mental representation
Where are schemas stored?
Long-term memory (LTM)
How are schemas formed?
Through knowledge and experience
What is one role of schemas?
Make quick decisions
Why might schemas be harmful?
Cause biased recall
How do schemas affect eyewitness testimony?
Influence recall accuracy
What internal factors affect behaviour, according to cognitive psychology?
Internal mental processes
What does high control over variables help establish?
Cause and effect
How do cognitive psychologists study ‘private’ mental processes?
By making inferences
How might a schema affect someone’s first impression of a person?
Stereotypical expectations
How does the cognitive approach differ from the biological approach?
Allows for some choice in behaviour
