The Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Assumptions

Answer 1

Argues that internal mental processes can and should be scientifically studied
Investigated those areas of human behaviour that were neglected by behaviourists such as memory, perception and thinking
These processes are private and cannot be observed so cognitive psychologists study them indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside peoples minds

Question 2

Theoretical and computer models

Answer 2

Information processing approach- suggests that info flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages that include input, storage and retrieval as in the multi-store model

Also uses computer models- the mind is compared to a computer by suggesting that there are similarities in the way info is processed. These models use the concepts of a central processing unit, the concept of coding and the use of stores to hold info

Question 3

Role of schema

Answer 3

Packages of ideas and info developed through experience
Act as a mental framework for the interpretation of incoming info received by the cognitive system
Babies are born with simple motor schema for innate behaviours such as sucking and grasping
As we get older, our schema becomes more detailed and sophisticated. Adults have developed mental representations for everything from the concept of psychology to a scheme for what happens in a restaurant etc
Enables us to process lots of info quickly and this is useful as a sort of mental short-cut that prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
Schema may distort our interpretations of sensory info leading to perceptual errors

Question 4

AO3- Cognitive Approach
Scientific and Objective Methods

Answer 4

Always employed highly controlled and rigorous methods of study in order to enable researchers to infer cognitive processes at woke
Involved the uses of lab experiments to produce reliable, objective data
The emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enable two fields of biology and cognitive psychology to come together

Question 5

AO3- Cognitive Approach
Machine Reductionism

Answer 5

The computer analogy has been criticised by many
Ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system and how this many affect our ability to process info

Question 6

AO3- Cognitive Approach
Real Life Application

Answer 6

The dominant approach in psychology today and has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts
i.e made important contributions in the field of AI and the development of robots, exciting advances that may revolutionise how we live in the future