The cognitive approach Flashcards
What are some assumptions of the cognitive approach?
All behaviour is driven by internal mental processes.
Its main focus is on how the mind deals with information, and our abilities to use that information.
Believes we process information in a linear systematic way and uses the computer analogy to explain behaviour - human mind is similar to computers complete with hardware and software.
Uses scientific research methods to study observable, measurable behaviours.
What is cognitive primacy?
All behaviour is driven by internal mental processes. This means that all behaviour and emotions have their roots in cognitive processes.
How do we study the cognitive approach?
It tends to use human participants and relies on scientific research methods. They study concepts like attention, perception, memory and other thought processes that were neglected by behaviourists. Researchers make inferences about what is going on in people’s minds by measuring behaviour.
What is an inference?
Making assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed, so we are going beyond the immediate research evidence.
What are the two models used to explain mental processes?
The information processing approach
The computer analogy
What is the information processing approach?
Believes we process information in a linear systematic way. It sees all of our cognitive processes as working in the following manner.
-> Input <=> Process <=> Output ->
This works for many of our cognitive processes, such as the multistore model of memory.
What is the computer analogy?
It sees human minds as similar to computers complete with hardware and software. Your hardware (organic matter in your skull) is essentially the same as other people’s, but your software (cognitive processes like memory) can differ slightly. Both computers and the human mind have a ‘central processing unit’, use the concept of coding and has different stores to hold information.
Who came up with the term ‘schema’?
Jean Piaget
What is a schema?
A mental/cognitive structure which contains knowledge about an object, person, activity or even roles based on experience. These beliefs and expectations help us make sense of the world.
Are all schemas the same between people?
It depends on the extent of our shared experience: people of a similar age and cultural background might have similar schemas, but those with significantly different experiences of the world might differ.
How did Bartlett expand on schemas?
He argued they had a big role in how memories are encoded, stored and retrieved. They allow us to make sense of the world and help interpret information from all of our senses
Why are schemas useful?
We can predict what will happen based on experiences.
We can process vast amounts of information rapidly that can be categorised.
They prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
Why might schemas not be useful?
Can distort our interpretation of sensory information
Can lead to perceptual errors
Can caused biased recall and expectations
A faulty schema may have a negative impact on mental health
What in cognitive neuroscience?
The neuroanatomical, chemical or mechanisms are responsible for cognitive processes. We are now able to study key brain structures and chemicals involved in different kinds of mental processing tasks through brain scanning. Often neuroscientists will compare neurotypical and atypical individuals to identify difference in brain regions whilst completing specific tasks.
What are post-mortems?
Examinations or brains after death. We can see where damage has occurred and how that my explain behaviours. The brain can be sliced into thin sections and studied under a microscope. It has been used to identify Broca’s area which is involved in the cognitive process of language production.
