The cognitive approach Flashcards
Key assumption of cognitive approach(scientific study of mental processes
The cognitive approach argues that mental processes should be studies eg. perception and memory
role of inference in the study of metal processes
For cognitive psychologists to study mental processes they must do it indirectly and make inferences about what’s going on in peoples heads on the basis of their behaviour
The use of theoretical models
The information processing approach suggests that information flows through a sequence of stages that include input , storage and retirevall as in the multi - store model
The use of computer models
Computer models refer to programmes that can run on a computer and imitate the human mind
By running such a program psychologists can test whether their ideas about information processing are correct
The idea of schema is central to the cognitive approach
- schemas are packages of information developed through experience
- They act as a mental framework for the intepretation of incoming information received by the cognitive system
emergence of cognitive neuroscience
cognitive neuroscience is the study of the influence of brain structures (neuro) on mental processes (cognition)
with advances in brain scanning technology in the last twenty years , scienists have been able to describe the neurological basis of mental processing
This includes the research in memory that has linked episodic and sematic memories to opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex in the brain
scanning techniques have also proved useful in establishing the neurological basis of some disorders
eg ocd
evaluation (strength) a strength is that cognitive approach uses scientific methods and objective methods
Cognitive psychologist have always employed controlled and rigorous methods of study e.g lab studies in order to infer cognitive processes at work
This has enables two fields of biology and cognitive psychology to come together (cognitive neuroscience )
This means that the study of the mind has established a credible scientific basis
evaluation (limitation)The approach based on research that lacks external validity
The approach can sometimes suffer from being too abstract and theoretical
research is often carried out using atrificial stimuli , such as recall of word lists in studies of memory which may not represent everyday experience
Therefore , research into cognitive processes may lack external validity
A strength of the approach is the application to everyday life
The cognitive approach a dominant in psychology today and has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts
For instance the approach has made an important contribution to the field of artificial intelligence(AI) and the development of robots
