the cognitive approach

Question 1

Mental processes refer to the processes that occur during..? They are … and ..?

Answer 1

Thinking. They are private and internal.

Question 2

List 3 examples of mental processes.

Answer 2

-Memory
-Perception
-Problem solving

Question 3

What are inferences?

Answer 3

Going beyond the immediate evidence to make assumptions about mental processes, that cannot be directly observed.

Question 4

(inferences) Based on …, we can make conclusions about mental processes? Why?

Answer 4

Observable behaviour, because the private mental processes we are concerned with cannot be observed directly.

Question 5

Example of real life application of inferences.

Answer 5

We infer the STM capacity is 7 chunks by observing individuals being able to recall 7 pieces of info in a memory test (who are then unable to recall 8)

Question 6

What are schemas?
How are they developed?

Answer 6

A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influences cognitive processing. They’re cognitive shortcuts, developed from experience.

Question 7

3 strengths of schemas?

Answer 7

-Help us predict what will happen in our world based on our experiences
-Prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
-Enables us to process vast amounts of information rapidly

Question 8

3 weaknesses of schemas?

Answer 8

-Can distort our interpretation of sensory information
-Can cause biased recall by seeing what we expect>perceptual errors or inaccurate eyewitness testimony
-Negative schema=negative impact on mental health

Question 9

What are theoretical models? Example of this?

Answer 9

Typically diagrams or flowcharts that show how information is passed between the different systems that manipulate it. E.g. multi-store model.

Question 10

What has the development of the computer in the 1960s led to in psychology? E.g?

Answer 10

Help explain different mental processes. E.g. linking human memory to input, storage and output systems.

Question 11

What have computer models of memory been particularly useful for?

Answer 11

The development of artificial intelligence (AI).

Question 12

What is cognitive neuroscience? Where does it stem from?

Answer 12

The study of how brain structures and biology affect mental processes. Comes from the biological and cognitive approach.

Question 13

What has the development of brain scanning techniques in the last 30 years lead to?

Answer 13

Allowed us to associate specific brain areas with particular actions, moods and emotions.

Question 14

Biological processes have been linked with? Why?

Answer 14

Mental processes due to cognitive neuroscience (based on the cognitive neuroscience examples).

Question 15

3 cognitive neuroscience examples.

Answer 15

-Broca’s area>speech production
-Pre-frontal cortex>episodic and semantic memories
-Parahippocampus gyrus>OCD

Question 16

2 examples of the cognitive’s real world application.

Answer 16

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), improving eyewitness testimony.

Question 17

Explain the real world application of CBT.

Answer 17

-According to this approach, depression is caused by negative or irrational thought processes.
-CBT has been developed to treat depression.
-CBT works by challenging an individuals irrational thought and substituting it with a rational one.

Question 18

Explain the real world application of improving eyewitness testimony.

Answer 18

-Research into memory has found how factors e.g. leading questions, post event discussion and anxiety can lead to inaccurate recall of events.
-Led to major reforms in police procedure e.g. cognitive interviews=preventing individuals recalling their expectations (schemas) by using techniques e.g. reversing the order.

Question 19

Who does CBT benefit? (2)

Answer 19

-Patient: quality of life.
-Economy: increases work productivity, saves money on sick pay, more money spent on leisure, less pressure on the NHS.

Question 20

What does the research into eye witness testimony benefit? (2)

Answer 20

-Society=safer.
-Economy=less money spent of re-trials.

Question 21

P and T for PET on real world applications.

Answer 21

P: A strength of the cognitive approach is that it has many real-world applications
T: Shows how the approach is useful in society.

Question 22

PET on the strength of this approach. INCLUDE THE 3 KEY TERMS

Answer 22

P: Uses highly controlled methods of research.
E: E.g. when experimenting on memory, lab experiments are used>easily replicated (repeated) as they have standardised (the same) procedures.
T: High reliability (repeat with same results), giving them high levels of scientific rigour.

Question 23

What is mundane realism?

Answer 23

The degree to which the materials and procedures involved in an experiment are similar to events that occur in the real world.

Question 24

Weakness of lab experiments (counter argument for PET)?

Answer 24

These lab experiments have low mundane realism. E.g. the commom used task of recalling words does not reflect how memory works in real life, as they use artificial (fake) stimuli>their tasks cannot be generalised to everyday life.

Question 25

What is soft determinism?
How does this approach show this?

Answer 25

There are constraints on our behaviour, but within these limitations, we are free to make some choices.
We can reason and make decisions within the limits of thinking and schemas.

Question 26

This approach sees humans as being able to..?

Answer 26

Reason and make concious decisions, within the limits of their thinking and schemas (formed by past experiences).

Question 27

Where does this approach sit on the nature vs nurture event?

Answer 27

Takes an interactionist view -argues behaviour is influenced by learning and experience, but also by some of our brains innate (natural) capacities as information processors.

Question 28

What is machine reductionism? How are humans different to computers?

Answer 28

The belief that all behaviour can be broken down into information processing systems, like a computer. We have emotions.

Question 29

PET on the weakness of the cognitive approach.

Answer 29

P: Subject to machine reductioism.
E: The belief that all behaviour can be broken down into information processing systems like a computer e.g. memory having input, storage and output systems.
T: This approach is too simplistic, does not give a complete explanation of human behaviour as it neglects the influence emotions have in our behaviour.