The Cognitive Approach Flashcards
Assumptions
Argues internal mental processes can, and should be studied scientifically- opposite to behaviourist. Cognitive approach has investigated those areas of human behaviour which were neglected by behaviourists, like memory, perception and thinking. These processes are private and cannot be observed, so cognitive scientists study them indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside people’s minds on the basis of their behaviour.
The role of schema
Cognitive processing can often be affected by a persons beliefs or expectations-schema. Schema are packages of ideas and information developed through experience. They act as a mental for the interpretation of incoming information received by the cognitive system. For example you have a schema for a chair- something you sit on with legs. Babies are born with simple motor schema for innate behaviours like sucking and grasping. As we get older our schema becomes more detailed and sophisticated. Schema enable us to process lots of information quickly and this is useful as a sort of mental shortcut that prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli. However schema may also distort our interpretations of sensory information m, leading to perceptual errors.
Theoretical and computer models
Help us understand internal mental processes. They overlap but theoretical models are abstract whereas computer models are concrete things.
One important theoretical model is the information processing model, which suggests information flows though the cognitive system in a sequence of stages. These include input, storage and retrieval m, as in the multi-store model. This information processing approach is based on the way that computers function but a computer model would involve actually programming a computer to see if such instructions produce a similar output to humans. If they do then we can suggest that similar processes are going on in the human mind. Such computational models of the mind have proved useful in the development of ‘thinking machines’ or artificial intelligence.
The emergence of cognitive neuroscience
In late 1990s/ early 2000s this area emerged. Cognitive neuroscience is the study of how brain structure affects internal mental processes and therefore behaviour. This is the scientific study of the influence of brain structure and neurons on mental processes. It has emerged because of advances in technology. Involves the use of non-invasive brain scans like fMRI, EEG and PET. In recent years brain scanning techniques have become much more advanced, allowing researchers to study how brain areas influence mental processes in more depth and with more accuracy. fMRI and PET scans can show activity in the brain during different tasks, implying or inferring that these areas are important for the function being investigated.
Practical application of cognitive neuroscience
Research involving tasks that required the use of episodic and semantic memory, showed how different types of long term memory may be located on opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex. Also system in overall charge of working memory- the central executive- is thought to reside in a similar area. Scanning techniques have also proved useful in establishing the neurological basis of some mental disorders. Link between parahippocampal gyrus and OCD.
Strength-scientific methods
Cognitive psychologists employ highly controlled and rigorous methods of study so researchers are able to infer cognitive processes at work. This has involved the use of lab studies to produce reliable, objective data. Cognitive neuroscience has enabled the two fields of biology and cognitive psychology to come together to enhance the scientific basis of study. This means the study of the mind has a credible scientific basis.
Counterpoint- relies on inference of mental processes, rather than direct observation of behaviour, can occasionally suffer from being too abstract and theoretical in nature. Research studies of mental processes are often carried out using artificial stimuli like memory work lists, doesn’t represent everyday experience. Nah lack external validity.
Strength- real world application
Dominant approach today, has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts. Like AI and robots. Cognitive principles have also been applied to the treatment of depressions and improved reliability of eyewitness testimony.
Limitation- machine reductionism
There are similarities between human mind and operations of a thinking machine like computers. Computer analogy has been criticised. Such machine reductionism ignores influence of human emotion and motivation in the cognitive system, and how this mug by change ability to process information. Researchers found human memory might be affected by emotional factors, like influence of anxiety on eyewitness.
