The Cognitive Approach Flashcards
Define the Cognitive Approach
An approach to psychology that emphasises the influence of mental processes (e.g. thoughts, perceptions, attention) on behaviour
When was the Cognitive Approach developed?
1950s
Why was the Cognitive Approach developed?
To provide an alternative approach that recognises the importance of studying internal mental processes, rather than only observable behaviour (as the Learning Theories had done)
Who was a key figure in the Cognitive Approach?
Broca
What are the key assumptions in the Cognitive Approach?
- Mediational processes occur between stimulus-response
- Mediational processes can + should be studied scientifically using inferences
- Humans are information processors that can be understood using models
- Schemas play an important role in behaviour
Define Mediational processes
Internal cognitive processes that occur between stimulus and response, and influence the behavioural response
Define inferences
Logical assumptions made about mediational processes, as they can’t be observed but are important in causing behavioural responses
(An indirect way of measuring mediational processes/cognitions)
Define a schema
A cognitive framework containing a package of all the info known about a subject based on previous experience
What happens to schema as we progress through life?
Schemas constantly grow (through new experiences) + can change to accommodate info that is inconsistent
Give an example of a schema
Depression is caused by negative schema of the self, the world + the future
What kind of things are schema developed for?
- People
- Objects
- Situations
- Social roles
What is a benefit of schema?
Help us to process + respond to info quickly, without being overwhelmed (simplifies life into neat packages of plans)
What is a problem with schema?
May distort information, as our schema aren’t always correct or appropriate assumptions for the situation
Outline a case study to support the role of schema in behaviour
Bartlet - The War of the Ghosts
AIM:
- To investigate the role of schema in behaviour
METHOD:
- English ppts
- Told ‘The War of the Ghosts’ (Native US folk tale - unfamiliar + strange)
- Asked to recall story 20hrs later
FINDINGS:
- Ppts distorted story to fit their pre-existing schema (added aspects of English culture + familiar storytelling structure)
- The longer time before recall, the more distorted the story
CONCLUSION:
- People use their own schema to interpret + remember the world
What are the two types of models the Cognitive Approach uses to understand human info processing?
- Computer models
- Theoretical models
What are theoretical models?
Abstract models, using boxes + flow charts to represent human processing including mediational processes
Give an example of a theoretical model
Information Processing Approach
- Input -> Process -> Output
(Linear, serial processing)
What is the meaning of serial processing?
Processing one piece of info at a time
What are computer models?
Actual models, using computer programming to represent human info processing and the role of mediational processes
Give an example of a computer model
Artificial intelligence
- Programmed to process info in the way of a human mind
What methodology is often used by the Cognitive Approach?
Lab experiments + case studies that focus on mediational processes rather than only observable behaviour
Define cognitive neuroscience
The scientific study of the biological structures that underpin cognitive processes
What methods were initially used in Cognitive Neuroscience? Outline this + give an example
Lesion Studies
- Looking at brain damaged individuals + comparing their cognitive abilities to a ‘normal’ individual to see what is completed where
- E.g. Broca - found damage to Broca’s Area (in the frontal lobe) causes speech impairment - so this is where speech production is localised to
What methods were recently used in Cognitive Neuroscience? Outline this + give an example
Neuroimaging + brain scanning
- Look at what parts of the brain are active in different circumstances to see what mental processes are completed where
- E.g. Tulving used PET scans to support his 3 part LTM model
What methods are most recently being developed in Cognitive Neuroscience? Outline this + give an example
Computer-generated models
- Brain ‘read’ by computer-generated models
- Known as ‘brain fingerprinting’
- E.g. May be used in future to analyse brainwaves/internal mental processes of court witnesses to see if they are lying
Give 2 positive evaluation points for the Cognitive Approach
Scientific Methodology
- Uses highly controlled, rigorous lab studies
- Despite using inferences, this methodology makes studying internal mental processes as controlled + objective as possible
- Recently, cognitive neuroscience has boosted the scientific element by using scientific, objective methods such as fMRIs + PETs
- The scientific nature of the methodology increases the internal validity and replicability of conclusions, increasing the credibility of the approach
Real world application in diagnosing + treating disorders
- Understanding internal mental processes has helped diagnosis of disorders
- E.g. Depression - explained by negative triad (due to faulty internal schemas)
- A greater understanding can lead to better treatment
- E.g. CBT to treat depression - therapists work with sufferers to remove their negative schemas + promote realistic processing of the world
- So, the approach has helped those with psych disorders
Give 2 negative evaluation points for the Cognitive Approach
Some issues with methodology
- Despite being as scientific as possible, there are still issues with the methodology used
- Subjectivity: studying inferences always leaves some room for subjective interpretation
- Low external validity: often methods use lab studies, hard to generalise conclusions to real world situations
- Try to create nomothetic laws based off idiographic case studies: e.g. HM case study used to make universal law on memory, when conclusions may not be generalisable
- So, there is still room for progress to increase validity of conclusions
Machine Reductionism Debate
- Cognitive Approach relies on Computer Models to understand processing
- Computer Models may be reductionist (Machine Reductionist)
- Psychologists are reducing complex human behaviour by comparing them to machines which don’t have such complex mental processes + free will to think
- E.g. Humans forget and computers don’t
- So, the approach may be reductionist, preventing gaining a full understanding of behaviour
