the cognitive approach

Question 1

assumptions

Answer 1

• direct contrast to behaviourist approach, argues that internal processes can and should be studied scientifically
• investigates areas of human behaviour that were neglected by behaviourists such as memory, perception and thinking
• studied indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside people’s minds on the basis of their behaviour
• looks at the MIND not the brain
• information processing model, the way info is processed

Question 2

the role of schema

Answer 2

• cognitive processing affected by peoples beliefs or expectations, called schemas, which are packages of ideas and information developed through experience
• act as mental framework for interpretation of incoming info received by cognitive system
• babies born with simple motor schema for innate behaviours such as sucking or grasping
• as we get older, schema become more detailed and sophisticated
• schema enable us to process lots of information quickly, useful mental shortcut to prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by environmental stimuli

Question 3

theoretical and computer models

Answer 3

• cognitive psychologists use these to understand internal mental processes
• theoretical models are abstract whereas computer models are concrete things
• one theoretical model is the information processing approach, suggests that info flows through the cognitive process in a sequence of stages, these include input, storage and retrieval
• this is based on the way that computers function, but the computer model would involve actually programming a computer to see if instructions lead to the same output to humans, and if they do then we can assume that similar processes are happening in the human mind
• computer models of the mind have been useful in the development of thinking machines or AI

Question 4

information processing model

Answer 4

input - from environment via the senses. can be manipulated in experiments (IV), loftus and palmer manipulated the verb being used

processing - info encoded using schema, memory etc. inference is made as can’t see cognition or thinking happening, loftus and palmer made inference about influence of verb on memory etc.

output - observable behaviour change, thinking, retrieval, verbal behavioual. can be measured in experiments (DV), loftus and palmer measured output of speed estimation

Question 5

the emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 5

• the scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes
• in the 1860s Broca had identified how damage to the frontal lobe could permanently impair speech production
• in the last 25 years, with advances such as PET and fMRI scans, scientists have been able to observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes
• scanning techniques have also proved useful in establishing the neurological basis of some mental disorders
• focus of cognitive neuroscience has expanded to include the use of computer-generated models that can ‘read’ the brain, which has led to development of mind mapping techniques known as ‘brain fingerprinting’
• suggests that brain develops overtime and can be trained (plasticity), cognitive processes also develop
• parts of brain studied include prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, amygdala

Question 6

evaluation - scientific methods

Answer 6

• strength is that it uses objective, scientific methods
• cognitive psychologists employ highly controlled and rigorous methods of study so that researchers can infer cognitive processes at work
• involves use of lab studies to produce reliable and objective data
• emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled fields of psychology and biology to work together to enhance scientific basis of the study
• study of mind has credible scientific basis

Question 7

evaluation - counterpoint to scientific methods

Answer 7

• relies on inference of mental processes rather than direct observation, so it can suffer from being too abstract or theoretical
• research studies also often use artificial stimuli which may not represent everyday experiences
• research on cognitive processes may lack external validity
• inferences may not always be correct, you cannot 100% know exactly what someone is thinking
• often difficult to verbalise our cognition

Question 8

evaluation - real-world application

Answer 8

• cognitive approach is the most dominant in psychology today, has been applied to wide range of practical and theoretical contexts
• important contribution in field of AI, and development of ‘thinking machines’ (robots)
• principles have also bee applied to treatment of depression and have improved eyewitness testimony
• supported value of cognitive approach
• been applied to therapies, use of CBT to address faulty thinking and the linked behavioural output
• application to mental health, which symptoms and thinking can be linked to depression

Question 9

evaluation of computer models - machine reductionism

Answer 9

• limitation is that its based on machine reductionism
• similarities between operation of human mind and thinking machines such as computers, but the computer analogy has been criticised
• machine reductionism ignores influence of human emotion and motivation on cognitive system, and how this may affect ability to process information
• may weaken validity
• humans are not 100% predictable, influenced by human emotion

Question 10

evaluation - soft determinism

Answer 10

• we actively choose whether to address faulty thinking and cognitions we may have
• individuals have the power to reframe thinking to help reduce negativity, for example in CBT and other similar therapies