The Cognitive Approach

Question 1

What is the cognitive approach

Answer 1

Focuses on how mental processes affect our behaviour

Question 2

What are internal mental processes

Answer 2

Perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response

Question 3

What is a schema

Answer 3

A package of ideas and information that have developed via experience that allow us to process information faster

A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence our cognitive thinking

Question 4

What is inference

Answer 4

Process where cognitive psychologist draw conclusions about the way mental processes operate

on the basis of observed behaviour

Question 5

Key assumptions of the cognitive approach

Answer 5

They believe the internal mental processes lie between stimulus and response

Mental processes are not observable
So study them indirectly by making inferences about them
these can be modelled and tested scientifically via controlled lab experiments

People are information processes and mine operates in the same way as a computer

Question 6

Cognitive neuroscience 2 marks

Answer 6

The scientific study of brain structures and the influence on mental processes involved scanning the brain while it is carrying out a cognitive process to see which area of the brain or active drink which cognitive processes


Question 7

Inference 2 marks

Answer 7

Making assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed

Question 8

Cognitive approach A01

Answer 8

Mental processes and inferences
Theoretical models
Computer models
Schema

Question 9

Cognitive approach A01
Mental processes and inferences

Answer 9

In direct contrast to the behaviourist approach, cognitive approach argues that mental processes should be studied

cognitive processes of human behaviour lie between stimulus and response

these mental processes are private (perception and attention) and not observable so must be studied indirectly by making inferences

they do this by making inferences about the processes and then modelling and measuring them scientifically

Question 10

Cognitive approach A01
Theoretical models

Answer 10

Cognitive psychologists compare the human mind to a computer in which both have an input transformation and output system (informational processing model)

Theoretical models are simplified representations of mental processes

Show information flows to the cognitive system in a sequence of stages
E.g. the multi store model of memory which presents memory of the stage base sequence in the form of a flow chart

Or using it solve problems

Question 11

Cognitive approach A01
Computer models

Answer 11

Computer models refer to programs that can be run on a computer to imitate the human mind
This can test if a psychologists ideas about information processing are correct

Expect systems (Artifical intelligence) are programs with a body of knowledge to deal with real life problems to replace the work of humans
For example dendral program which has been used to help chemists establish the structure of complex molecules

Question 12

Cognitive approach A01
Schema (if time)

Answer 12

Cognitive theories also assume that people’s cognitive thinking is affected by their personal schemas

Schemas are packages of ideas that information which have been gathered fire experience and help people process information more quickly

However it can also eliminate information does not fit our pre-existing beliefs and expectations


Question 13

In what ways are scheme is useful?

1
2

Answer 13

Allows to take shortcuts when interpreting huge amounts information we have a deal with on a daily basis
Allow us to make predictions based on past experiences

Question 14

In what ways are schemas not useful?

1
2

Answer 14

Schemas can cause us to eliminate information that does not fit our pre-existing beliefs or ideas are expectations

Inaccurate EWT (Loftus and Palmer - smash instead of hit - glass - source monitoring/confusion)

Biased RECALL (rat man)

Question 15

Rob a young man is in a supermarket when he sees an old lady struggling to reach the top shelf he offers to get them down for her and then reaches up for them

Identified three stages of information-processing

Answer 15

Input seeing old woman struggling
Transformation deciding whether to help her or not
Output offering to help

Question 16

How does cognitive approach study these mental processes

Answer 16

One way to study internal processes is to the use of theoretical models such as the information-processing model

They then use this to make inferences and then measure and test them MAINLY scientifically via controlled lab experiments



Question 17

Research of schemas not being useful

Answer 17

RAT MAN
1 groups of ps shown pictures of differences faces
1 group of ps shown different animals

Then showed an ambiguous figure

Participants who saw a sequence of faces more likely to perceive the figure as a man
Participants who saw a sequence of animals more likely to see figure as a rat

Shows how mental processes can be affected by schemas / expectations.

RECALL BIAS

Question 18

What is the aim of cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 18

Look for biological basis of thought processes

Combines cognitive psychology, cognitive science and neuroscience and has emerged as technology has advanced

Rapid advances is brain scanning techniques such as PET and MRI scans have helped see which parts of the brain become more active during which cognitive processes.

Question 19

Evaluation of cognitive approach

Answer 19

Soft determinism
Machine reductionism
Controlled and rigorous methods
Real life application

Question 20

Evaluation of cognitive approach

One strength of the cognitive approach is that it is Soft determinism

Answer 20

It is less deterministic then others

This is because it recognises that our cognitive system can only operate on the limits of what we know e.g. language ability but also acknowledges that we are able to think before responding to a stimulus

This is an interactionist/ middle ground position that psychologist refer to a soft determinism 

This is a strength as it takes a more reasonable and flexible middle ground position in the free will and determinism debate more in line with this subjective sense of free will

Question 21

Evaluation of cognitive approach

One limitation of the cognitive approach is that it is machine reductionist

Answer 21

Despite the similarities between the human mind and computers it
ignores the influence of human EMOTION and MOTIVATION on cognitive processes and how the human mind is more likely to make MISTAKES and processing information for example forgetting

This is limitation as it over simplifies human cognition and doesn’t give a whole explanation of complex human behaviour

Question 22

Evaluation of cognitive approach
One strength of the cognitive approach is that it has real life application

Answer 22

Cognitive approach is used in understanding symptoms of psychological disorders such as depression and how that comes from 40 thinking processes that results in abnormal behaviour

This has led to successful treatment of people suffering from depression using cognitive based therapies where the faulty thinking is identified an altered

(Also in CBT to reduce inaccuracies of EWT)

This is a strength as it can be applied to real life and help people suffering



Question 23

Evaluation of cognitive approach
One strength of the cognitive approach is that it has high scientific credibility

Answer 23

Due to the use of controlled lab experiments - obtain reliable objective data which allows researchers to infer cognitive processes at work

The emergence of neuroscience has also enabled the biological and cognitive approach to come together

which means the study of the mind has established a more credible scientific basis since Wundts attempts to measure private mental processes.

This is a strength as it increases a scientific credibility of the approach

However this can be seen as a limitation by focusing on being too scientific may lose sight of whole person and individuality which makes us all unique individuals