The Cognitive Approach Flashcards
What are the key assumptions of the cognitive approach?
It argues that mental processes can and should be studied scientifically. These are private and cannot be observed but can be studied indirectly by making inferences.
What is the role of schema?
Cognitive processing can be affected by a person’s beliefs or expectations, known as schema. They are ‘packages’ of ideas and information developed through experience and act as a mental framework to help interpret incoming information.
How do schema change with age?
Babies are born with a simple motor schema for innate behaviours, such as sucking and grasping.
As we get older it becomes more sophisticated, adults have developed a schema for everything.
Schema enable us to process information quickly so we dont get overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.
What is a theoretical/computer model?
The theoretical model dictates that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages - including input, storage and retrieval. This information processing approach is based on how computers function but a computer model would involve programming humans.
What is the emergence of cognitive neuroscience?
It is the scientific study of the brain structure on mental processes. Mapping brain areas to specific cognitive functions has been around since Broca in the 1860s. In the last 25 years we have been able to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes with fMRI and PET scans.
These have also helped map out causes for mental disorders.
What is the strength - Scientific methods?
It uses objective, scientific methods. Researchers employ highly controlled and rigorous methods of study so researchers can infer cognitive processes. This involves lab studies and cognitive neuroscience.
What is the limitation - external validity?
Many of the studies using this use artificial stimuli - e.g. word lists. They also rely on inference rather than specific observation.
What is the strength - RWA?
Is the dominant approach in psychology today and has been applied to the treatment of depression, the creation of AI and improved reliability of EWT.
What is the limitation - machine reductionism?
There are similarities between human mind and a computer, but this ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation and how this affects processing. An example of this is the effect of anxiety on EWT.
