The Approaches: The Cognitive Approach NEW 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 how internal mental processes drive our behaviour, based on observed behaviour but not directly inferred
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 a ‘schema’?
Form of internal mental processes, mental representations
How are ‘schemas’ created?
Unique knowledge and experience
Where are ‘schemas’ held?
In our LTM
Give one reason why schemas are beneficial
- Help us make quick decisions
- Prevent us from being overwhelmed
Give one reason why schemas may not be beneficial
Biased recall / EWT - we may recall what we expect to see
What are the three parts of the computer model?
Input
Processing
Output
According to the cognitive approach, what affects our behaviour? Give an example
Mental processes, e.g. our thoughts/memories/perceptions
According to the cognitive approach, how should mental processes be studied? Why?
Scientifically (lab experiments), to allow inferences to be made
How does the mind work like a computer?
It has input from the senses, which is processed and then produces an output, such as a specific behaviour
Cognitive psychologists suggest that our internal mental processes are ‘private’ and cannot be observed. So, how are they studied?
Indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside the mind based on an individual’s behaviour
Inferences are where cognitive psychologists go beyond the immediate evidence to…
draw logical assumptions about how internal mental processes drive our behaviour
What are inferences based on?
Observed behaviour, but not directly inferred
What two things are used to make inferences (conclusions) about our mental processes, thoughts and behaviours?
Computer models, Theoretical models
How does the information-processing model apply the idea of the human mind functioning like a computer?
Information may enter the brain but how we respond/act depends upon how we process the information
In the Input stage of the computer model, where do we receive information from and how? What happens after?
The environment via our senses. It is encoded
In the Processing stage of the computer model, how is information stored?
As a memory
What happens in the Output stage of the computer model?
The appropriate behaviour/emotion is performed, or retrieval of information occurs
Give an example of a computer model
Ellis’ ABC model as a cognitive explanation of depression
How is Ellis’ ABC model an example of a computer model?
‘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)
Ellis’ ABC model can be used as an example of a…
Computer model
How can theoretical models be used to explain behaviour?
Models can be used to provide testable theories about mental processing and these can be studied scientifically and inferences made
How do cognitive psychologists describe a behaviour and the processes behind them?
In a series of steps
The Multi-Store Model can be used as an example of a…
Theoretical model
Give an example of a theoretical model
Multi-Store Model
How is the Multi-Store Model an example of a theoretical model?
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
How can schemas change through experience?
They can become more detailed
What do schemas prevent us from being overwhelmed by?
Information from the environment
Why can schemas cause biased recall / EWT?
We may recall what we expect to see according to our schema, rather than what we have actually witnessed
Why is the cognitive approach a form of soft determinism?
It sees human behaviour as being caused by internal factors, but suggests that individuals have some choice over their behaviour
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?
Soft determinism
What is a strength of the cognitive approach being soft deterministic?
Individuals may feel more in control and feel it is possible to alter any faulty thought processes
Give an example of where individuals may feel more in control and feel it is possible to alter any faulty thought processes
Those suffering with depression
Why is the cognitive approach to human behaviour considered a more appropriate and positive approach?
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
How does the cognitive approach investigate human behaviour?
Through use of scientific methods
How does the cognitive approach to explain human behaviour use scientific methods?
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
Give two objective and empirical techniques that the cognitive approach uses in its research
Brain scan techniques, lab experiments
What is a strength of the cognitive approach using scientific methods to investigate human behaviour?
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
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?
The overall internal validity of the cognitive approach to explain human behaviour, raising Psychology’s scientific status
The cognitive approach to explain human behaviour has practical applications. Why? What principles is the theory based on?
That behaviour is caused by internal mental processes
What is the practical application that the cognitive approach to explain human behaviour has led to?
Treatment of CBT
The cognitive approach to explain human behaviour has practical applications.
Using the principles of the theory, how does this practical application work?
CBT treats disorders such as depression by helping the individual to dispute their irrational thoughts and negative schemas
By using scientific evidence, the cognitive approach has gained credibility. What has this allowed for?
Practical applications
The cognitive approach has led to the practical application of CBT.
How will this in turn help to improve the economy?
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
The cognitive approach is based on machine reductionism. What does this mean?
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
“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?
Machine reductionism
The cognitive approach is based on machine reductionism.
What does this ignore?
The influence of holism and human emotion on internal mental processes, such as anxiety and memory in EWT
Why is comparing the mind to a computer a weakness of the cognitive approach?
We cannot understand human behaviour in context
