the cognitive approach Flashcards
What does cognitive psychology study?
“Cognitive psychology studies behaviour by looking at our perception language attention and memory.”
What metaphor does cognitive psychology use to explain the mind?
“The mind can be compared to a computer; it is a reductionist approach.”
What are theoretical models used for in cognitive psychology?
“Theoretical models are used to explain and make inferences about mental processes that lead to particular behaviours.”
What are cognitive psychologists interested in explaining?
“They are interested in explaining how the mind processes information and makes decisions.”
What is ecological validity?
“Ecological validity is the measure of how much the result of an experiment reflects what would happen in natural settings.”
What is a laboratory experiment?
“A laboratory experiment happens in a lab with strict control over variables but often low ecological validity.”
What is a field experiment?
“A field experiment takes place in a natural situation with more ecological validity but less control over variables.”
What is a natural experiment?
“A natural experiment involves observing a naturally occurring situation where variables can’t be randomly assigned.”
What is the role of schemas in cognitive psychology?
“Schemas help to organise and interpret information and experiences.”
What happens when new information is consistent with a schema?
“The information is assimilated into the schema and the schema is strengthened.”
What happens when new information is inconsistent with a schema?
“Accommodation occurs and the schema changes to include the new information.”
What are role schemas?
“Role schemas are ideas about behaviour expected from someone in a certain role setting or situation.”
What are event schemas?
“Event schemas contain information about what happens in a situation often called scripts.”
What are self-schemas?
“Self-schemas contain information about ourselves based on personal characteristics beliefs and values.”
What did Bartlett investigate in 1932?
“Bartlett investigated schemas using the ‘War of the Ghosts’ story and observed how participants changed the story to fit their schemas.”
What is cognitive neuroscience?
“Cognitive neuroscience links human behaviour to brain function and studies the brain’s activity during cognitive tasks.”
What methods do cognitive neuroscientists use?
“Cognitive neuroscientists use lesion studies electrophysiology and neuroimaging.”
What are the strengths of the cognitive approach?
“It considers mental processes often overlooked in other approaches and has influenced therapy development.”
What are the weaknesses of the cognitive approach?
“It relies on artificial situations and models ignores emotion and assumes everyone processes similarly.
What do cognitive psychologists aim to study?
“Cognitive psychologists aim to study mental processes and their effect on behaviour scientifically.”
What are humans described as in the cognitive approach?
“Humans are described as information processors with behaviour explained in terms of information processing.”
What does a computer model compare the brain to?
“The brain is compared to a computer with processes of input processing and output.”
What terms are borrowed from computers to describe the brain?
“The brain is described as a processor with networks for communication and the ability to work sequentially or in parallel.”
What are the limitations of computer models?
“Humans are influenced by emotions have unlimited but unreliable memory and can choose decisions unlike computers.”
What is the cognitive approach’s view of mental systems?
“Mental systems have a limited capacity influenced by both task demands and how information is processed.”
What do control mechanisms ensure in mental processes?
“Control mechanisms ensure mental processes work in the right sequence.”
What is the flow of information in cognitive systems?
“Information flows in a system where data is taken in processed stored and used.”
What is the definition of a schema?
“A schema contains all the information you know about an object action
What types of schemas exist?
“Role schemas event schemas and self-schemas.”
What are role schemas used for?
“Role schemas store information about how someone in a particular role is expected to behave.”
What are event schemas also called?
“Event schemas are also called scripts.”
What do self-schemas include?
“Self-schemas include information about your personality beliefs and values.”
What is a problem with schemas?
“Schemas can prevent learning new information and lead to stereotyping or ignoring inconsistent information.”
What is the significance of Bartlett’s ‘War of the Ghosts’ study?
“It demonstrated how people reconstruct memory to fit schemas leading to altered story details.”
When did cognitive neuroscience begin to take hold?
“In the 1970s when brain imaging techniques started influencing the field.”
What is the role of brain imaging in cognitive neuroscience?
“It identifies brain regions active during memory tasks and links brain function to behaviour.”
What is electrophysiology used for?
“Electrophysiology uses electrical and magnetic fields to measure brain activity.”
What is neuroimaging used for?
“Neuroimaging pinpoints brain regions active during specific tasks.”
Why does cognitive research often lack validity?
“It uses artificial situations and computer models that may not reflect real-world behaviour.”
What therapies has the cognitive approach influenced?
“It has influenced therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
What is the primary focus of the cognitive approach?
“The cognitive approach focuses on how we think perceive and interpret the world through cognitive processes.”
What is the reductionist analogy used in the cognitive approach?
“The mind is compared to a computer focusing on input processing and output of information.”
What is the information processing analogy in the cognitive approach?
“Cognitive psychology uses computer models to explain how humans process store and retrieve information.”
What do theoretical models in the cognitive approach aim to do?
“Theoretical models aim to explain and make inferences about mental processes based on observable behaviour.”
What are the three types of research methods used by cognitive psychologists?
“Laboratory experiments field experiments and natural experiments.”
What is a key feature of laboratory experiments in cognitive psychology?
“Laboratory experiments are highly controlled and scientific but may lack ecological validity.”
What is the strength of field experiments?
“Field experiments take place in natural settings improving ecological validity but with less control over variables.”
What is a limitation of natural experiments?
“Natural experiments lack control over variables making it harder to determine causation.”
What principle explains the capacity of cognitive systems?
“Cognitive systems have a limited capacity influenced by task difficulty and information flow.”
What ensures the correct sequence of mental processing?
“Control mechanisms regulate mental processes to ensure they occur in the proper order.”
What are schemas important for?
“Schemas help us organize and interpret information allowing us to respond to new situations efficiently.”
What happens when information is consistent with a schema?
“It is assimilated into the schema strengthening the existing schema.”
What happens when information is inconsistent with a schema?
“The schema is accommodated changing to include the new information.”
What is an example of role schemas?
“Role schemas include expectations about behaviour such as how a doctor or teacher should act.”
What is an example of event schemas?
“Event schemas include scripts like knowing to order food at a restaurant.”
What is an example of self-schemas?
“Self-schemas contain information about yourself such as your personality beliefs and values.”
What was the method used in Bartlett’s (1932) study ‘The War of the Ghosts’?
“Participants were asked to recall an unfamiliar Native American folk tale multiple times.”
What were the results of Bartlett’s study?
“Participants altered the story to fit their own schemas adding or omitting details.”
What was a limitation of Bartlett’s study?
“The study lacked ecological validity because it was conducted in a laboratory setting.”
What was the impact of computer advancements on the cognitive approach?
“Computer advancements in the 1950s and 1960s led to the analogy of the brain as a processor.”
What do computer models describe about brain function?
“The brain processes data sequentially for complex tasks and in parallel for familiar tasks.”
What are some differences between humans and computers?
“Humans have emotions unlimited but unreliable memory and free will unlike computers.”
What techniques are used in cognitive neuroscience?
“Lesion studies electrophysiology and neuroimaging techniques like PET scans are used.”
What is electrophysiology?
“Electrophysiology uses electrical and magnetic fields to measure brain activity and brain waves.”
What is neuroimaging?
“Neuroimaging identifies active brain regions during tasks and links them to cognitive functions.”
What are strengths of the cognitive approach?
“It considers mental processes overlooked in other approaches and has influenced therapies like CBT.”
What are weaknesses of the cognitive approach?
“It often uses artificial settings ignores individual differences and assumes all processing is the same for everyone.”
Why are computer models criticized in cognitive psychology?
“Computer models ignore emotions and oversimplify the complexity of human thought.”
How does the cognitive approach influence therapy development?
“It has contributed to cognitive behavioural therapy targeting maladaptive thoughts.”
