The cognitive approach Flashcards
The cognitive approach
The idea that humans channel mental processes on incoming information
Theories/assumptions:
The way the computer and human mind work is alike
The mind actively processes information from our senses
Internal mental processes
The cognitive approach studies mental processes such as memory, attention and decision-making, by using experimental research methods.
E.g. comparing the abilities of groups to memorize a list of words when presenting them either verbally or visually to INFER the type of sensory information easier to process.
Theoretical and computer models
Proposed to attempt to explain and infer information about mental processes.
Cognitive psychologists adopted the computer as a metaphor for human information processing.
Information processing model
A hypothetical model showing how sensory information is processed in the brain
Describes the mind using computer terminology:
Encoding of sensory information -> information manipulation (mental processes) -> output (behavior, emotion)
A computer accepts inputs, carries out process of various kinds on inputs, and produces outputs.
The MSM (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968) focuses on how we process incoming information from the senses:
Sensory information from the environment (new names) is the input.
This enters a sensory registration store where it is held for a very short length of time.
If attention is paid to the input it is transferred to the STM store, where the name is held in an acoustic format (can also be visual or semantic depending on input).
Rehearsal can keep the info in the STM and then transfer it to the LTM for more permanent storage.
When we meet the person again, we retrieve the info (remember their name), which is the output.
E.g an artist looking at their painting (incoming info from senses to be encoded), deciding which color to paint a certain area (decision), before brushing the selected color on the canvas (output)
The role of schema
The term schema refers to a mental script of how to act or what to expect from a certain situation. Proposed by Piaget
Barlett (1932) argued that existing knowledge in the form of schemas plays an important role in memorizing information.
He conducted a study where he asked participants to listen to and then recall a Native American folk tale.
Findings:
He found that participants left out elements of the story that were culturally unfamiliar tot them (reference to ghosts)
Barlett shows how people use their existing knowledge to make sense of incoming information
The emergence of cognitive neuroscience
This field involves the incorporation of neuroscience techniques such as brain scanning to study the impact of brain structures on cognitive processes.
Double dissociate
This is an example of the cognitive neuroscientific approach.
It occurs when two patients show a mirror image of impairment.
E.g. Person A can do task 1 but not task 2 and Person B can do task 2 but not task 1. Patients KF and HM are examples.
Warrington and Shallice (1969) found that after suffering damage on the left occipital lobe of his brain following a motorcycle accident, patient KF’s short term memory was poor but his ltm remained intact.
Milner (1957) looked at patient HM who had undergone surgery where his hippocampus was removed. He was found to have an intact STM but information could not be retained in his LTM.
supports double dissociate - LTM and STM thougth two related mental processes are located in different areas of the brain
Plasticity
Plasticity- the ability of brain areas to ‘take over’ functions from areas damaged by injury
Studies on double dissociation should be viewed with caution.
Evaluation of the cognitive approach
Strengths:
Has been used to create the multi-store model of memory. Shows how we process incoming information from senses.
Has real like application in terms of its use of CBT.
Takes into account the internal, invisible thought processes that affect our behaviour, unlike the behavioral approach.
Limitations:
Could be argued that cognitive models over-simplifies explanations for complex mental processes. Does not take into account genetic factors; for example hereditary correlations of mental disorders.
Low ecological validty- as data supporting the theories are often from laboratory studies and unrealistic tasks
Comparing human mind to computer mind is unsophisticated
