The Cognitive Approach Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the cognitive approach?

A

this approach focuses on how internal mental processes such as perception, attention and thoughts affect behaviour.

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2
Q

What assumptions are made within the cognitive approach?

A
  • behaviour is influenced by internal mental processes.
  • it is possible to make inferences about mental processes.
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3
Q

What is the computer analogy?

A

We take information (input) in through the senses, which influences behaviour (output). This is like the input, process, and output of a computer.

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4
Q

What are schema?

A

Schema are the mental representations of experience, knowledge, and understanding. They are ‘packets’ of information, developed through experience, which influence cognitive processing.

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5
Q

What are the strengths and weaknesses of schema?

A

+ schema can influence cognitive processing in a beneficial way by acting as a shortcut to prevent us being completely overwhelmed.
- they can also distort how we interpret sensory information.

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6
Q

How does FMRI work?
(functional magnetic resonance imaging)

A

works by detecting the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur in response to neural activity. when a brain area is more active, it consumes more oxygen, and to meet this increased demand, blood flow increases to the active area.

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7
Q

How do PET scans work?
(positron emission tomography)

A

uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease in the body. a PET scan shows how organs and tissues are working. it can show the chemical and functional changes within the brain.

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8
Q

What are the strengths of the cognitive approach?

A
  • real world application.
  • scientific rigour.
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9
Q

What are the weaknesses of the cognitive approach?

A
  • research often lacks ecological validity.
  • relies on the inference of mental processes.
  • machine reductionism.
  • oversimplistic as focus often on individual mental processes.
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