The Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Assumptions of the cognitive approach

Answer 1

-internal mental processes can be studied scientifically by making inferences based on behaviour
-internal processes mediate between stimulus and response

Question 2

What are theoretical models

Answer 2

They are more abstract diagrammatical ways of understanding internal mental processes such as the MSM

Question 3

What are computer models

Answer 3

Concrete things, programmes that can be run on a computer to imitate the human mind to see if certain instructions would produce similar output to humans

Question 4

What is a schema

Answer 4

Mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing(based on past experiences)

Question 5

Role of schema

Answer 5

Allow us to think and respond quickly to events in our environment which prevents us from being overwhelmed by stimuli

Question 6

Disadvantages of schemas

Answer 6

-can result in inaccuracies in recall, has implications for EWTs
-can result in stereotypes
-links to depression, negative self schema
-schemas can distort interpretations of sensory information causing perceptual errors

Question 7

What is cognitive neuroscience

Answer 7

The scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes

Question 8

What do advances in brain imaging techniques mean

Answer 8

Advances eg fMRI and PET mean it is possible to systematically observe neurological basis of mental processes and of some mental disorders

Question 9

Expand on limitation that schemas cannot be scientifically measures

Answer 9

-there is no evidence to prove for or against the existence of schemas therefore they are an unfalsifiable concept
-for a concept to be valid it must be able to be scientifically measured
-lacks objectivity and challenges validity

Question 10

Expand on limitation that approach reduces humans to machines

Answer 10

-although there are similarities between the human mind and computer operations the use of computer models to imitate the human mind has been criticised
-ignores influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system, not generalisable due to machine reductionism

Question 11

Expand on limitation that the approach cannot be applied to everyday life

Answer 11

-only able to infer mental processes from behaviour observed in research meaning data is abstract and theoretical
-often use artificial stimuli which is not representative of everyday experiences
-challenges ecological validity