The Cognitive approach Flashcards
whatr is cognitive approach
it studies information processing and internal mental processes
e.g. memory, attention, perception, emotions
cognitive approach has to be studied through
inference (assumption)
because you cant see the internal mental, therefore you have to assume how it happens based on the evidence that you have
the role of schemas in cognitive approach
(positives)
they help us to organise and interpret information, to predict future events,
it is based on the existing expectations,
and works as a shortcut when our brain needs to fill in the info we dont know
the downside of schemas in cognitive approach
it can support stereotypes
it focuses only on the things that confirm our pre-existing belives and supports the stereotypes
it excludes info that is not on the schema
may cause inaccurate recall (eye whitness testimony)
what is Disequilibrium
an unpleasant state we entter when an existing schema doesnt allow us to make sense of something new
to get rid of disequilibrium
we are motivted to learn
what`s assimilation
putting info into exsiting schemas, even if it shouldn’t be in exectly that schema
what is accommodation
changing our schemas based on the experience and new info
theoretical and computer models
e.g. MSM
usually oversimplify, incoplete, informal and keep changing
to understand the bahaviour the reseracher have to …
conduct and experiment
construct a model
analogy with a computer
input - external stimuli and any input of info into our brain
RAM -processing info like MSM, WMM
hard drive - storing info, with potentially unlimited duration
output - process responsible for preparing appropriate response to a stimuli
the cognitive neuoroscinece
two methods
most advanced way of studying the brain using PET and fMRI
examples of PET
both episodic and semantic memories light up the Prefrontal cortex
but episodic - in the right hem
and semantic - in the left hem
examples of PET and OCD
investigation the causes of OCD -
indicating:
high levels of dopamine and low levels of serotonin
high activity in the orbital frontal cortex - associated with impulse control, thought process which explains the compulsive hand washing
Characteristics of fMRI
-safer than PET, non invasive
-spatual resolution = good
-temporal resolution = bad (how quickly the scanner can show)
-measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow
how the fMRI measures
BOLD
blood oxygention level dependent activity
ev
eval 1 top
cognitive approach
tells how the complex cognitive processes happen but not why the happen firstplace
how not why
eval 1 point
cognitive approach
the role of emotions and feelings is not being taken into account. However the approach the focuses on motivation happen to ignore cognitive processes.
such an approach by Freud psychodynamic - largely relys on the Id, ego, superego which are not the internal processes
how not why
eval 1 tail
cognitive approach
lack of inclusion of motivational and emotinal aspect, is because the approach is over dependent on the processing info, and also motivation is irrelevant to a computer,
however, it is rellavent to humans
comparison to computer oversimplifys
eval 2 top
cognitive approach
claimes to be oversimplistic
when comparing humans to computers
eval 2 point
cognitive approach
Machine Reductionist
brain is significantly more complex then a machine,
it is capable of emotions, of consxiousnes and feelings
which also influence the behaviour
even though there are some simmilar process, their fundumental porpuse is different
however, there are also some differnces
such human memory is unable to replicate all info flawlesly, while computerse have 100% accuracy
eval 2 tail
cognitive approach
therefore, explaining solely a human brain as a computer is oversymplifying it.
eval 3 top
cognitive approach
the research has low ecological validity
eval 3 point
cognitive approach
as to study inetrnal process like memory, ppts had to perforem cogntive tasks like memorising an irrelvent material, that are meaningless in real life
rather than basing the activity on the material that is used every day
e.g. why we forget
eval 3 tail
therefore it becomes harder to generalise to real life, as findings lack ecological validity
it fails to reflcet on the behaviour that occur every day
eval 4 top
cognitive approach
nevertheles, research is very scientific
eval 4 point
cognitive approach
use of experimental methods provide a reseacher with strict requests and methods, therefore making the findings fully reliable, and accurate.
as the scientific research includes empricism (testing, which is done trhough experiment) , replicability (procedure is written specificaly and is easy to replicate) and objectivity (no investigator effect)
eval 4 tail
cognitive approach
therefore, the findings are based on empiricale findings, not senses
so, they dont give a misleading info about how our internal processes work,
however they are still not as scientifc as biological and behavioural approaches
