The Approaches: The Cognitive Approach NEW Flashcards

1
Q

According to the cognitive approach what does our mind work like?

A

A computer

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2
Q

How is the cognitive approach different to the behaviorist approach?

A

The cognitive approach suggests we actively process and organise information WHEREAS the behaviourist approach suggests we passively respond to stimuli

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3
Q

What is meant by ‘inferences’

A

Going beyond the immediate evidence to draw logical assumptions about how internal mental processes drive our behaviour, based on observed behaviour but not directly inferred

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4
Q

Describe the three-stage process of the computer model

A

INPUT (info from env.) –> PROCESS (we interpret) —-> OUTPUT (behaviour)

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5
Q

What is one benefit of using models according to the cognitive approach?

A

They provide testable theories about mental processing and can be studied scientifically

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6
Q

What is meant by a ‘schema’?

A

Form of internal mental processes, mental representations

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7
Q

How are ‘schemas’ created?

A

Unique knowledge and experience

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8
Q

Where are ‘schemas’ held?

A

In our LTM

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9
Q

Give one reason why schemas are beneficial

A
  • Help us make quick decisions
  • Prevent us from being overwhelmed
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10
Q

Give one reason why schemas may not be beneficial

A

Biased recall / EWT - we may recall what we expect to see

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11
Q

What are the three parts of the computer model?

A

Input
Processing
Output

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12
Q

According to the cognitive approach, what affects our behaviour? Give an example

A

Mental processes, e.g. our thoughts/memories/perceptions

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13
Q

According to the cognitive approach, how should mental processes be studied? Why?

A

Scientifically (lab experiments), to allow inferences to be made

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14
Q

How does the mind work like a computer?

A

It has input from the senses, which is processed and then produces an output, such as a specific behaviour

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15
Q

Cognitive psychologists suggest that our internal mental processes are ‘private’ and cannot be observed. So, how are they studied?

A

Indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside the mind based on an individual’s behaviour

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16
Q

Inferences are where cognitive psychologists go beyond the immediate evidence to…

A

draw logical assumptions about how internal mental processes drive our behaviour

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17
Q

What are inferences based on?

A

Observed behaviour, but not directly inferred

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18
Q

What two things are used to make inferences (conclusions) about our mental processes, thoughts and behaviours?

A

Computer models, Theoretical models

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19
Q

How does the information-processing model apply the idea of the human mind functioning like a computer?

A

Information may enter the brain but how we respond/act depends upon how we process the information

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20
Q

In the Input stage of the computer model, where do we receive information from and how? What happens after?

A

The environment via our senses. It is encoded

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21
Q

In the Processing stage of the computer model, how is information stored?

A

As a memory

22
Q

What happens in the Output stage of the computer model?

A

The appropriate behaviour/emotion is performed, or retrieval of information occurs

23
Q

Give an example of a computer model

A

Ellis’ ABC model as a cognitive explanation of depression

24
Q

How is Ellis’ ABC model an example of a computer model?

A

‘A’ being the activating event (input) such as the loss of a job, ‘B’ being the processing of the information (either rational or irrational beliefs) and ‘C’ being the consequence, the behaviour (output)

25
Q

Ellis’ ABC model can be used as an example of a…

A

Computer model

26
Q

How can theoretical models be used to explain behaviour?

A

Models can be used to provide testable theories about mental processing and these can be studied scientifically and inferences made

27
Q

How do cognitive psychologists describe a behaviour and the processes behind them?

A

In a series of steps

28
Q

The Multi-Store Model can be used as an example of a…

A

Theoretical model

29
Q

Give an example of a theoretical model

A

Multi-Store Model

30
Q

How is the Multi-Store Model an example of a theoretical model?

A

It suggests that memory has separate unitary stores, each with different coding, capacities and durations and that information flows through memory in a linear way

31
Q

How can schemas change through experience?

A

They can become more detailed

32
Q

What do schemas prevent us from being overwhelmed by?

A

Information from the environment

33
Q

Why can schemas cause biased recall / EWT?

A

We may recall what we expect to see according to our schema, rather than what we have actually witnessed

34
Q

Why is the cognitive approach a form of soft determinism?

A

It sees human behaviour as being caused by internal factors, but suggests that individuals have some choice over their behaviour

35
Q

The cognitive approach sees human behaviour as being caused by internal factors, but suggests that individuals have some choice over their behaviour.

What AO3 point is this describing?

A

Soft determinism

36
Q

What is a strength of the cognitive approach being soft deterministic?

A

Individuals may feel more in control and feel it is possible to alter any faulty thought processes

37
Q

Give an example of where individuals may feel more in control and feel it is possible to alter any faulty thought processes

A

Those suffering with depression

38
Q

Why is the cognitive approach to human behaviour considered a more appropriate and positive approach?

A

It sees human behaviour as being caused by internal factors, but suggests that individuals have some choice over their behaviour - so individuals may feel more in control and feel it is possible to alter any faulty thought processes

39
Q

How does the cognitive approach investigate human behaviour?

A

Through use of scientific methods

40
Q

How does the cognitive approach to explain human behaviour use scientific methods?

A

The research is based on objective and empirical techniques such as brain scan techniques and lab experiments to investigate internal mental processes and inferences, which have high control over extraneous variables

41
Q

Give two objective and empirical techniques that the cognitive approach uses in its research

A

Brain scan techniques, lab experiments

42
Q

What is a strength of the cognitive approach using scientific methods to investigate human behaviour?

A

As objective and empirical techniques are used, which have high control over extraneous variables, cause and effect can be established between internal mental processes and behaviour

43
Q

The use of scientific methods in the cognitive approach allows us to establish cause and effect between internal mental processes and behaviour - what could this increase?

A

The overall internal validity of the cognitive approach to explain human behaviour, raising Psychology’s scientific status

44
Q

The cognitive approach to explain human behaviour has practical applications. Why? What principles is the theory based on?

A

That behaviour is caused by internal mental processes

45
Q

What is the practical application that the cognitive approach to explain human behaviour has led to?

A

Treatment of CBT

46
Q

The cognitive approach to explain human behaviour has practical applications.
Using the principles of the theory, how does this practical application work?

A

CBT treats disorders such as depression by helping the individual to dispute their irrational thoughts and negative schemas

47
Q

By using scientific evidence, the cognitive approach has gained credibility. What has this allowed for?

A

Practical applications

48
Q

The cognitive approach has led to the practical application of CBT.

How will this in turn help to improve the economy?

A

Treating depression by helping individuals dispute their irrational thoughts and negative schemas, means people will be able to function better in everyday life and go to work, increasing wages and tax payments

49
Q

The cognitive approach is based on machine reductionism. What does this mean?

A

It breaks down complex human behaviour of internal mental processes into simple basic units like the mind operating like a machine/computer, e.g. input, process, output

50
Q

“Breaking down complex human behaviour of internal mental processes into simple basic units like the mind operating like a machine/computer, e.g. input, process, output”

What key term is being described here?

A

Machine reductionism

51
Q

The cognitive approach is based on machine reductionism.
What does this ignore?

A

The influence of holism and human emotion on internal mental processes, such as anxiety and memory in EWT

52
Q

Why is comparing the mind to a computer a weakness of the cognitive approach?

A

We cannot understand human behaviour in context