the cognitive approach

Question 1

the cognitive approach

Answer 1

focuses on how our mental processes affect behaviour

Question 2

assumptions of the cognitive approach

Answer 2

• argues internal mental processes can + should be studied scientifically
• use computer and theoretical models to make inferences on how the mind works

Question 3

what are internal mental processes

Answer 3

‘private’ operations of the mind such as perception + attention that mediate between stimulus and response

Question 4

theoretical and computer models

Answer 4

• used to help understand internal mental processes
• there are overlaps between these 2 models but theoretical models are abstract and computer models are concrete

Question 5

outline an important theoretical model

Answer 5

the informational processing approach
- suggests info flows through the cognitive system in a series of stages including input, storage and retrieval

Question 6

what is a ‘schema’

Answer 6

mental framework/ ‘package’ of beliefs/expectations that influence cognitive processing.
- developed from past experiences
- provides ‘mental shortcut’ for the processing of info
- may distort out interpretations of sensory info

Question 7

cognitive neuroscience

Answer 7

• the scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes

Question 8

emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 8

• 1860s - Broca noted how damage to area of frontal lobe could damage speech production
• last 20 yrs - FMRIs + PET scans - systematically observe/describe neurological basis of mental processes

Question 9

AO3 of the cognitive approach

Answer 9

• high control - lab experiments - scientific credibility
• machine reductionism - ignores influence of human emotion + motivation on the cognitive system
• ‘soft determinism’ - we can only operate off what we already know but are free to think before responding