The Cognitive Approach Flashcards
what does the cognitive approach focus on?
how our mental processs affect our behaviour
what does the cognitive approach argue about internal mental processes?
they should be studied scientifically, as they influence behaviour
how has cognitive psychology been influenced by computer science?
analogies are made between how a computer processes information and how humans do
what does the cognitive approach study regarding information
how the brain inputs, stores and retrieves information
what is the multi-store model of memory?
a model that illustrated how information flows through the cognitive system
what is the main assumption of the cognitive approach?
information from our senses is processed by the brain, directing our behaviour
how can we infer a persons thoughts according to the cognitive approach?
by observing their behaviour, as internal mental processes cannot be directly observed
what are schemas in the context of cognitive processing?
mental frameworks of beliefs and expectations developed form experience
how do schemas help us?
they help us organise and interpret information quickly, preventing information overload
what are the potential downside of schemas?
they can distort incoming information, leading to inaccuracies, such as in eyewitness testimony
what is cognitive neuroscience?
the scientific study of how brain structures influence mental processes using brain scanning techniques
how does neuroscience map cognitive functions to brain areas?
by using brain imaging techniques like fMRI and PET scans while participants perform cognitive tasks
what does greater activity in specific brain areas during a cognitive task suggest?
that those areas are involved in the cognitive function being investigated
