The Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What is the cognitive approach
how our mental processes effect our behaviour
What do cognitive psychologists do
Cognitive psychologist study processes indirectly by making inferences bout what is going on inside peoples mind based on their behaviour
What is the assumption made by cognitive psychologists about us
we take in information form the world process it and react to it. We also use our knowledge and experienced to understand the world
What are the three cognitive principles outlined by cognitive psychologists
- there is two way flow of information
- a control mechanism over sees all mental processes
- our metal systems have a limited capacity
What is the role of a schema
A package of ideas and information developed through experience. This helps you to organise and interpret information and experience.
What are the three main methods used by psychological researchers and what do they initial
1 - laboratory experiments, this is very reliable as it is possible to have control variables in a lab but has low ecological validity
2 - field experiments, these occur in the real world with high ecological validity but have weaker controlled variables
3 - natural experiments, these involve making observations about real world interactions they have high ecological validity but have uncontrolled variables and low validity
Why do some cognitive psychologists make the comparison between a computer program and our brains
- the brain is described as a processor it has input and out put
- some parts of the brain for networks
- one process once started in the brain cannot be stopped till it is completed
What is a negative evaluation for the idea of the brain processing like a computer n
Humans have emotional and factors rather than simply input -processing - output
Humans have unlimited and unreliable memory where as computers have limited and reliable
Humans have free will
What is a schema
a package of ideas and information developed through experience.
What is a role schemas
these are ideas about the behaviour which is expected from someone in a certain role or situation
What is a event schemas
these are also scripts. They contain information about what happens in a situation
What is a self schemas
these contain information about ourselves based on physical characteristics and personality as well as beliefs and values. Self schemas can affect how you act.
What is the problem with schemas
schemas can cause prejudice and stereotypes can be and outcome of schema
What was the method of barlets war of the ghosts
English participants where asked to read a Native American folk tale. Contained different names, ideas and objects. Participants where then asked to recite this story
What where the results of Barlets study of
Each of the participants changed the story to be far more fitting with English culture and with their own schemas. The length of time between hearing the story and the accuracy where inversely proportional
