The cognitive approach

Question 1

key assumptions

Answer 1

-cognitive psychology is a pure science based primarily on lab experiments

-behaviours can be largely explained in terms of how the mind operates(the info processing approach)

-the mind works in a way similar to a computer, inputting storing and retrieving data

Question 2

what is the black box approach

Answer 2

before cognitive psychology
would look at stimulus and its reaction (not what else happens in the brain)

Question 3

what is the schema theory

Answer 3

mental framework/ blueprint that represents information you know
each schema relates to something different
when we come across an object we use the schema to help understand what we are experiencing
schemas increase in size as we grow older

Question 4

what is memory

Answer 4

the capacity to encode store and retrieve information

Question 5

what is encoding

Answer 5

process of converting data from one form to another (visual, audio and semantic)

Question 6

what is storage

Answer 6

process of holding onto information for a duration of time
(sensory store, long term, short term)

Question 7

what is retrieval

Answer 7

process of recalling information from the past and using it
(free recall- remember by yourself
cued recall- something reminds you)

Question 8

what are strengths of the cognitive area?

Answer 8

scientific- accurate unbiased data
quantitative date- patterns and trends
useful- positive impact on wider society

Question 9

what are weaknesses of the cognitive area?

Answer 9

reductionist- ignores multiple social factors that effect how we process information
the computer analogy breakdown