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Psychology - Approaches > The Cognitive Approach > Flashcards

The Cognitive Approach Flashcards

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1
Q

Define the Cognitive Approach

A

An approach to psychology that emphasises the influence of mental processes (e.g. thoughts, perceptions, attention) on behaviour

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2
Q

When was the Cognitive Approach developed?

A

1950s

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3
Q

Why was the Cognitive Approach developed?

A

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)

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4
Q

Who was a key figure in the Cognitive Approach?

A

Broca

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5
Q

What are the key assumptions in the Cognitive Approach?

A
  • 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
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6
Q

Define Mediational processes

A

Internal cognitive processes that occur between stimulus and response, and influence the behavioural response

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7
Q

Define inferences

A

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)

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8
Q

Define a schema

A

A cognitive framework containing a package of all the info known about a subject based on previous experience

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9
Q

What happens to schema as we progress through life?

A

Schemas constantly grow (through new experiences) + can change to accommodate info that is inconsistent

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10
Q

Give an example of a schema

A

Depression is caused by negative schema of the self, the world + the future

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11
Q

What kind of things are schema developed for?

A
  • People
  • Objects
  • Situations
  • Social roles
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12
Q

What is a benefit of schema?

A

Help us to process + respond to info quickly, without being overwhelmed (simplifies life into neat packages of plans)

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13
Q

What is a problem with schema?

A

May distort information, as our schema aren’t always correct or appropriate assumptions for the situation

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14
Q

Outline a case study to support the role of schema in behaviour

A

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

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15
Q

What are the two types of models the Cognitive Approach uses to understand human info processing?

A
  • Computer models

- Theoretical models

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16
Q

What are theoretical models?

A

Abstract models, using boxes + flow charts to represent human processing including mediational processes

17
Q

Give an example of a theoretical model

A

Information Processing Approach
- Input -> Process -> Output
(Linear, serial processing)

18
Q

What is the meaning of serial processing?

A

Processing one piece of info at a time

19
Q

What are computer models?

A

Actual models, using computer programming to represent human info processing and the role of mediational processes

20
Q

Give an example of a computer model

A

Artificial intelligence

- Programmed to process info in the way of a human mind

21
Q

What methodology is often used by the Cognitive Approach?

A

Lab experiments + case studies that focus on mediational processes rather than only observable behaviour

22
Q

Define cognitive neuroscience

A

The scientific study of the biological structures that underpin cognitive processes

23
Q

What methods were initially used in Cognitive Neuroscience? Outline this + give an example

A

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
24
Q

What methods were recently used in Cognitive Neuroscience? Outline this + give an example

A

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
25
Q

What methods are most recently being developed in Cognitive Neuroscience? Outline this + give an example

A

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
26
Q

Give 2 positive evaluation points for the Cognitive Approach

A

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
27
Q

Give 2 negative evaluation points for the Cognitive Approach

A

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

Psychology - Approaches (7 decks)

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