The Cognitive Approach

Question 1

Cognitive approach

Answer 1

Approach focusing on how our mental processes affect behaviour

Question 2

Internal mental processes

Answer 2

Private operations of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response

Question 3

Schema

Answer 3

Mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing. They are developed for experience

Question 4

Inference

Answer 4

Psychologists draw conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour

Question 5

Cognitive neuroscience

Answer 5

Scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes

Question 6

Main Assumption of cognitive approach

Answer 6

Internal mental processes should be studied. Meaning areas of human behaviour neglected by behaviourists, such as memory p, perception and thinking should be investigated.

Question 7

Because internal mental processes are private and cannot be observed, what do psychologists do?

Answer 7

Study them indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside people’s minds on the basis of their behaviour

Question 8

Because internal mental processes are private and cannot be observed, what do psychologists do?

Answer 8

Study them indirectly by making inferences about what is going on inside people’s minds on the basis of their behaviour

Question 9

What are theoretical models

Answer 9

Diagrammatic representations of the Steos involved in internal mental processes

Question 10

How are theoretical models used to make inferences of internal mental processes

Answer 10

Diagrams use arrows and boxes to indicate cause and effect or stages of a mental process. The features of the model are based of inference since mental processes cannot be directly observed

Question 11

Computer models

Answer 11

Mind is compared to a computer. Suggesting there are simarities

Question 12

How do our minds work like a computer

Answer 12

• input = external stimuli
• internal processes (coding) = internal mental processes)
• output = behaviour

Question 13

What are schemes developed through

Answer 13

Personal expreruence

Question 14

What do schemas act as a

Answer 14

Mental framework for the interpretation of incoming information received by the cognitive system

Question 15

What do schemas enable us to do

Answer 15

• Process a lot of information quickly and this is useful as a sort of mental short cut t
• prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli
• help us predict what will happen based on past experiences

Question 16

Problems with schema

Answer 16

• can lead to faulty conclusions and unhelpful behaviour (e.g before exams)
• may develop stereotypes
• may distort our interpretations of sensory information
• can cause bias recall based on what we expect to see

Question 17

Years of cognitive apppriach

Answer 17

1960s

Question 18

When was cognitive neuroscience made and by who

Answer 18

1970s by Miller and Gazziniga

Question 19

What is cognitive neuroscience c

Answer 19

It studies the influence of brain structures on mental processes m

Question 20

What is cognitive neuroscience c

Answer 20

It studies the influence of brain structures on mental processes m

Question 21

What has changed to allow neuroscience to emerge

Answer 21

Advances in brain scanning technology meaning scientists have been able to describe neurological basis of mental processing

Question 22

What has allowed us to locate parts of the brain involved in information processing

Answer 22

• positron emission tomography (PET SCANS)
• functional magnetic resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Question 23

How has neuroimaging helped with disorders

Answer 23

Neuroimaging has helped us to establish the neurological basis for some disorders such as enlarged ventricles in schizophrenia, however, cannot tell us if this is cause or consuqurnce

Question 24

Practical applications of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 24

• scanning techniques used
• scanning techniques to study mental processing
• use of computer stimulations to test theories or hypotheses about mental processses

Question 25

Strengths of cognitive approach

Answer 25

• methods are highly scientific - objectivity and control ensures that studies are reliable
• findings of studies have provided basis for therapies and stragetice to help people with behavioural problems
• dominant approach and further developments in technology and science have enabled cognitive psychologists to develop more sophisticated models to explain role of internal mental processes

Question 26

Weaknesses of cognitive approach

Answer 26

• lab experiments criticised for lacking ecological validity
• inferences made relying on behaviour could lack validity and reduce reliability of the study
• comparing human mind to computer could be seen as too simplistic

Question 27

Evidence of Schemas

Answer 27

Bugelsky and alampay (1962): rat man, aimed to investigate whether previous knowledge affect the perception of new material