The Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Main assumptions of the cognitive approach

Answer 1

• people actively respond to environmental stimuli depending on schemas and thoughts
• people are information processors
• the human mind operates in the same way as a computer
• cognitive processes can be modelled in order to make them observable and should be tested scientifically

Question 2

Internal mental procceses

Answer 2

• Behaviours are public and are driven by internal thought processes
• thoughts are private and will drive our behaviour responses
  Through inference of behaviours we can understand more about a persons thoughts and emotions

Question 3

Inference

Answer 3

Going beyond immediate observed evidence to make assumptions as to the origins of that behaviour

Question 4

Schemas

Answer 4

Mental shortcuts developed through experience and help to frame our interpretation of oncoming informtion

Question 5

AO3 of schemas

Answer 5

• Enable us to process vast amounts of info rapidly
• distort our inerpretations of sensory info
• lead to prejudice

Question 6

Theoretical models

Answer 6

Cognitive processes cannot be directly observed.
- they develop theories to represent cognitive processes e.g. MSM, WMM
-theories can be tested for validity
- aids development of psychology

Question 7

Computer models

Answer 7

Humans and computers both have a input - process - output way of thinking

Question 8

Cognitive neuroscience

Answer 8

• scientific and objective study of influence of the brain on mental processes
• long history of brain mapping in psychology, advances in brain imaging techniques have meant that scientists can observe and describe neurological structures of mental processes
• giving an individual a task to do whilst in a brain scan allows us to establish which parts of the brain are being activated

Question 9

A03 support - squire

Answer 9

Found that through PET scans STM can be seen in the prefrontal cortex and the LTM in the hippocampus. This is a strength because combined with theoretical models it has objective support of cognitive processes such as the storage of new memories

Question 10

AO3 criticism - too reductionist

Answer 10

Looks at humans operating like computers which doesn’t allow for the elements that can be observed in humans. Too much of a simple explanation on something quite complex like the individual nature of humans in their responses are ofte influenced by a bunch of factors e.g past experience

Question 11

AO3 strength - practical application

Answer 11

Developments in cognitive neuroscience have contributed to a greater understanding of the human brain . This has resulted in huge benefits for people who suffer from brain injury’s as scans can identify the damaged areas so that rehabilitation can be better focused on individual improvement - potentially speeding up recovery