The Cognitive Approach

Question 1

The cognitive approach is a direct contrast to the

Answer 1

Behaviourist approach

Question 2

The cognitive approach argues that

Answer 2

Mental processes should be studied

Question 3

Mental processes are ‘private’ and cannot be observed so

Answer 3

Cognitive psychologists study them indirectly by making assumptions about what’s going on inside people’s heads on the basis of their behaviour

Question 4

The information processing approach suggests that

Answer 4

Information flows through a sequence of stages

Question 5

What are the stages in the information processing approach?

Answer 5

Input
Storage
Retrieval
Basically the multi-store model

Question 6

Computer models refer to programmes that can be run

Answer 6

On a computer to imitate the human mind

Question 7

By running a programme on a computer, psychologists can test whether their

Answer 7

Ideas about information processing are correct

Question 8

Schema are

Answer 8

Packages of information developed through experience

Question 9

Schema act as a

Answer 9

‘Mental framework’ for the interpretation of incoming information received by the cognitive system

Question 10

Baby’s are born with simple motor schema for

Answer 10

Innate behaviours such as sucking and grasping

Question 11

As we get older, our schema become more

Answer 11

Detailed and sophisticated

Question 12

Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the

Answer 12

Influence of brain structures (neuro) on mental processes (cognition)

Question 13

With advances in brain scanning technology

Answer 13

Scientists have been able to describe the neurological basis of mental processing

Question 14

Scanning techniques have also proved to be useful in establishing

Answer 14

the neurological basis of some disorders

Question 15

Cognitive psychologists have always employed

Answer 15

controlled and rigorous methods of study

Question 16

Because cognitive psychologists always use methods such as lab studies, this has enabled the two fields of

Answer 16

Biology and cognitive psychology to come together

Question 17

Merging biology and cognitive psychology means that the study of the mind has established

Answer 17

A credible scientific basis

Question 18

Machine reductionism AO3

Answer 18

Although there are similarities between the operation of the human mind and a computer, the computer analogy has been criticised as human emotion and motivation have been shown to influence accuracy of recall - these factors are not considered within the information-processing model therefore approach oversimplifies human cognitive processing and ignores important aspects that influence performance

Question 19

Low ecological validity AO3

Answer 19

Cognitive psychologists are only able to infer mental processes from the behaviour they observe so the approach sometimes suffers from being too abstract and theoretical + research often carried out using artificial stimuli, e.g. recall of a word list in memory studies, therefore cognitive approach low in ecological validity.

Question 20

Real-life applications.

Answer 20

The cognitive approach has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts, cognitive psychology has made a positive contribution to the field of artificial intelligence and the development of robots. as by understanding how human mind works we can programme computers capable of intelligent ‘human-like’ behaviour.

Question 21

Soft determinism AO3

Answer 21

Soft determinism as out cognitive system can only operate within certain limits but we are free to think before responding to a stimulus - in contrast to behaviourist approach which suggests we are passive slaves to environment and lack free choice in our behaviour.